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VERMONT 

i-Ke land of 

GREE.N 
DUNTAINa 





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reen 
bunlainir 




"// / could put my 

woods in song. 
And tell what's there 

enjoyed. 
All men would to my 

gardens throng. 
And leave the cities 

void." 

— Emerson. 



Issued by 

The Vermont Bureau of Publicity 

Office of Secretary of State 

Essex Junction, Vt. 



Ff7 



r4i 



■< 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1913 

GUY W. bAILEY. 

Secretary of State for the State of Vermont 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington 



©CI.A350201 





^Y-^JfVn ONG, long ago, so long ago that nobody knows 

fTLrf^r^M just when or where it was given, the name 

Green mountains was bestowed upon the 

mountain range that extends through the 

State of Vermont from its southern to its 

northern border. The most that is known 

concerning the origin of this name is that it 

was given by the French, the first Europeans 

to visit this region. If Samuel Champlain, the discoverer of these 

mountains, gave them a name, he did not record that fact in his 

journals, which were kept with much care. 

It is more probable that some French soldier sailing south- 
ward over Lake Champlain on a warlike expedition into the Mo- 
hawk country, or some pious Jesuit priest traveling by canoe to- 
ward the Indian encampments, in the hope of converting the 
aborigines to the Christian faith, gazed with admiration on the 
nearer hills and the more distant peaks, and gave to them the 
natural and appropriate name, the Green mountains. We use the 
English phrase for the mountains, but the French term is pre- 
served in the name of the State, Vermont — Verd Mont — thanks 
to Dr. Thomas Young of Philadelphia, at whose suggestion the 
name was given. 

And they are the green mountains in very truth, with the 
verdure of meadow and pasture land on their lower slopes, and the 
verdure of deciduous trees and evergreen forests on their higher 
slopes and summits. This mountain barrier, taking toll of the 
moisture-laden clouds that ])ass over its summits from the ocean, 
keeps this highland region well watered and its verdure fresh and 
beautiful. 

The (ireen mountains — how much this name suggests to the 
weary toiler in the noisy, grimy city! The very name comes to the 
hot and stifling atmosphere of a great metropolis with an alluring 
sound. It suggests the green that means the abundant bounty 
and varied charm of nature; the green of upland meadows, the 
green of the forests, stretching far away over the slopes of the 
everlasting hills; the green that denotes life and promotes life and 
health. It suggests beautiful drives through shaded ways, be- 
side which mountain streams go laughing and singing down to the 
valleys, over moss-covered rocks and shining pebbles, here be- 
coming a cascade wreathed with mist, there an angry torrent, then 
spreading out into a wide and placid basin between green meadows. 
It suggests a profusion of living springs of pure water gushing from 



4 I'ennout. The Land of Green Mountains 

the mountain side; cool and refreshing breezes; the glint of sun- 
shine through a canopy of forest leaves; a fragrant carpet of pine 
needles on which one may lie and listen to the music of the wind 
in the treetops; the sweet and healing odors of balsam and cedar 
and other wholesome evergreens; a wealth of ferns; a profusion of 
wild flowers and the singing of birds. 

It means quiet and restfulness and peace, away from that 
roar and rush of the city which shatter the nerves and shorten the 
days of a multitude of our people, away from the artificialities of 
life, back to the soothing, healing cal mof the mountains, that stand 
for serenity and dignity and nobility and the things that are un- 
changeable and eternal. There is no better place in all the world 
for the tired brain and the weary body to find rest than in the 
Green mountains, where the silence is grateful to the ear, where 
the odors of the woodland are refreshing, and where the eye may 
delight itself with the far-stretching,forest verdure that clothes tl.e 
mountain slopes as with a garment, with the golden glories of the 
sunrise and the sunset, with the purple lights upon the hills, with 
the ever-changing cloud effects, and with noble and extensive pros- 
pects of lofty mountain peaks, of lakes and rivers, of fields and 
forests, spread out like a great map painted in living colors by the 
Master Artist. 

The Hebrew Psalmist voicetl the wisdom of unnumbered 
centuries when he said: 'T will lift up mine eyes unto the hills 
from whence cometh my help." The help of the hills is recog- 
nized everywhere. These mountains stand in the thought of men 
for health of body and soul, for sturdy virtues of character, for 
independence of tyranny and hatred of sham, for the qualities 
of mind and heart that keep a nation clean and strong and true. 
The help of the hills may be obtained in an abundant measure in 
the Green moimtains of \'erniont. 

An examination of the map will show that the Green moun- 
tain system resembles somewhat the capital letter Y. From the 
Massachusetts border the range extends northward tlirough the 
center of the State. Rather more than half way to the Canadian 
boundary it forks, the main range continuing north nearly in a 
direct line, while another ridge extends in a northeasterly direction. 
West of and parallel with the Green mountains, the Taconic range 
extends from the Massachusetts border as far north as Brandon. 

Lake Champlain forms considerably more than half the west- 
ern boundary of the State, while the Connecticut river constitutes 
the entire eastern boimdary. The watershed of Lake Champlain 
includes more than half the State. It comprises all the western 
half of Vermont as far south as the northern towns of Bennington 
county, one of the southernmost counties. It is a noteworthy 
geological fact that three of the four largest rivers of Vermont, the 
Missisquoi, the Lamoille and the Winooski, have broken through 



Forczvord 5 

the first barrier or west ran^e of the Green mountains and empty 
into Lake Champlain, draining the greater part of the region lying 
between the forks of the Y of this mountain system. A few 
streams in the extreme southern part of the State flow into New 
York and Massachusetts and a few in the northern part find their 
outlet in Canada. 

Vermont is surpassingly rich in lakes and ponds and streams. 
A recent compilation showed 330 lakes and ponds in the State, 
considerably more than one for each of the '-246 townships and 
cities. Lake Champlain, 118 miles long, from ten to twelve miles 
wide in its widest part, is too well known to recpiire an extended 
description. With the exception of the Great Lakes and Lake 
Okechobee in Florida, which is more marsh than lake, it is the 
largest body of fresh water in the United States. It contains an 
island county in its northern waters. Situated between the Green 
mountains and the Adirondacks it unites the ciiarms of a great 
body of water with the attractions of the hill country. Lake 
Champlain is navigated by an excellent line of steamboats, which 
as long ago as 184'''2, when Charles Dickens wrote his "American 
Notes," was so good that it was one of the few things the distin- 
guished English author found worthy of praise in this country. 
This service has continued to improve and its boats are among the 
best to be found in the country. Yachting, motor boating and 
canoeing are popular pastimes. 

On the northern border is Lake Memphremagog, lying partly 
in Canada, which is one of the largest and most beautiful of east- 
ern lakes. It is provided with a fine steamboat service and at- 
tracts many visitors. Not far away is Lake Willoughby, likened 
often to the Swiss lakes, guarded by two frowning mountains and 
rightly considered one of the most picturesque of American lakes. 
Lake Morey, Lake Caspian, Lake St. Catherine, Lake Bomoseen, 
and many others, are of considerable size, while a vast number of 
charming ponds in mountain settings, a constant delight to the 
visitor, are scattered throughout the State. 

Vermont is literally a land of "little rivers." P^rom the upper 
reaches of the Green mountains flow not only the State's larger 
rivers but a nudtitufle of small streams and brooks, while many 
others rise in the foothills. Robert Louis Stevenson has said: 
"There is no music like a little river's. It plays the same tune 
(and that's the favorite) over and over again, and yet does not 
weary like men fiddlers. It takes the mind out of doors; and 
thotigh we shotdd be grateful for good hotises there is after all no 
house like God's out of doors. And lastly, sir, it quiets a man 
down like saying his prayers." Henry Van Dyke, who has sung 
the praises of "Little Rivers" in such an alluring fashion, says: 
"I will set my affections upon rivers that are not too great for 
intimacy." And again he says: "It is by a river that I will 



6 I'rriHdiit. The Land of Green Mountains 

choose to make love and to revi\'e old friendships and to play with 
the children and to confess my faults and to escape from vain, 
selfish desires and to cleanse my mind from all false and foolish 
things that mar the joy and i)eace of living." 

Probably there is no other region in the United States of 
America where less than ten thousand scjuare miles contain so 
many "little rivers" and so many small lakes and ponds as does 
Vermont. Probably there is not one of the towns and cities of 
this State that does not contain some attractive stream or body 
of water within its boundaries or on its borders, and most of them 
may boast of a wealth of such attractions. 

The mountain system of Vermont so dominates the entire 
State, and its out])osts and foothills extend so far, that it is pro- 
bable that the townships that do not contain some mountain or 
lofty hill from which a delightful view may be ol)tained can be 
counted on the fingers of a man's hands. The Vermont mountains 
are friendly mountains, with few excei)tions being clothed with 
verdure from base to highest peaks, mountains that invite the 
visitor to close acquaintance. Their summits are not capped with 
eternal snows. They are not stark, jagged masses of barren rock. 
The tourist does not court death by attempting to scale their 
highest elevations. They induce admiration and affection rather 
than awe and terror. 

And this does not mean that these are not real mountains, for 
wonderfully extensive views may be obtained from their summits. 
Many of the highest of America's peaks are situated on lofty tal)le- 
lands so that the effect of their great elevation is ])ractically lost. 
In many respects the Green mountains satisfy the mental con- 
ception of what a lofty mountain should be quite as well as do 
some peaks much higher, because here the surrounding country 
is corres])ondingly lower. Most of the great mountain heights 
are isolated from settled regions, but the Green mountains are 
surrounded by cultivated fields and ])leasant villages and are not 
far removed from the hal)itations of men. In other words the 
Green mountains are high enough to satisfy the desire for height 
and vision, but are not too high to be accessible. In some in- 
stances good carriage roads lead to their summits. They are re- 
moved from the noise and clamor of the metropolis, but are not 
too far removed to be reached cpiickly and comfortably. 

One of the interesting features of this region is the plan to 
construct a Green Mountain Trail over the summits of these 
mountains from the Massachusetts border to the Canada line. 
Part of this trail already lias been cut. The idea is uniciue and 
appeals powerfully to the imagination and to that love of adven- 
ture which is implanted in the hearts of most American men and 
some American women. To tramp the whole length of the State 
along the roof of a mountain range, staff' in hand, knapsack on 



Forczcord 7 

back, with the inspiration that comes from the nohle outlook 
frequently afforded hy lofty elevations, and the exhilaration that 
such exercise affords, is an experience that must be desired by many 
an individual seekinji; health and recreation and a complete chanj^e 
of scene. It is planned to afford comfortable camping" places so 
that the discomforts of such a trip may be reduced to a minimum. 

Vermont affords relief from the monotonous level of i)lains 
and prairies laid out in tiresome re<>ularity. It is free from the 
abomination of salt marshes. It contains no great stretches of 
sterile plains covered with scrub oaks. It is rather a land of won- 
derfully varied scenery, a country of fertile farms, a region of 
mountains and valleys, lakes and rivers. If one is fond of the 
woods he may find them here, the kinrl of which W. H. H. Murray 
wrote when he said: "But the woods, the dear, frank, innocent 
woods, God bless them! They kill no one. . . . Once in a hun- 
dred years perhaj)s one man, and he by accident, is killed by the 
falling of a tree — some jioor, dead tree that could not stand one 
instant longer nor helj) from falling just then and there. Ay, the 
dear woods that kill no one, tempc no one, rather warn you to keep 
out of their de])ths, near their bright margins, where the sun shines, 
flowers bloom and open spaces are: rest you so with their untaxed 
restfulness; that never moan of nights because they have killed 
anyone but rather because anyone for any cause must be killed 
the world over." 

If one is fond of the water he will find in Lake Cham])lain or 
Lake Memphremagog most of the advantages of the sea, and may 
dispense with some of its obvious disadvantages. If the smaller 
lakes are preferred there are many from which to choose. The 
Woodbury and Calais lake region contains a remarkabh' iuiml)er of 
small lakes and ponds in mountain settings, and other ])ortions of 
the State offer nearly as many. No Vermont mountain is far 
removed from streams and ])onds. 

Whittier must have had in mind a region similar to the (Ireen 
mountiiins when hv wrote of — 

"Rivers of gokl mist flowing down 
From far celestial fountains, — 
The great sun flaming through the rifts 
Beyond the wall of mountains." 

Dr. William H. Lord has written of ^'ermont scenery as 
follows: "A few regions (lod has made more beautiful than others. 
His hand has fashioned some dreams or symbols of Heaven in 
certain landsca])es of earth; and we have always thought the Al- 
mighty intended, when he formed the hills of A'ermont and shook 
out the green drapery of the forests over their sloping shoulders, 
and made them fall in folds like the robe of a king along their sides, 
to give us a dim picture of the new creation and the celestial realm. 



8 I'cnnonf, The Land of Green Mountains 

"Italy is a land of rarer sunsets and deep sky, of haunting 
songs and grander memories; Switzerland is a region of more tower- 
ing sublimity and unapproachable grandeur, but in the galleries 
of God there is none that so shows the exquisite genius of creative 
art, the blending of all that is beautiful and attractive, with no- 
thing to terrify the eye; the mingling of so much of the material 
glory, both of the earth and the heavens, with so little to appall 
the sense. Vermont in summer is the Almighty's noblest gallery 
of divine art." 

The late Justice David J. Brewer of the United States Su- 
preme Court, whose summer home was on the shore of Lake Cham- 
plain, writing on "The Green Mountain State," said: "The Green 
mountains run north and south through her borders as a sort of a 
spinal column from which ridges as ribs extend east and west and 
towards the river [Connecticut] and the lake [Champlain] . Over 
these ridge ribs and in the valleys between is poured the rich soil 
like the abundant flesh of the well-formed man, while brooks and 
streams course as veins and arteries in every direction. Mount 
Mansfield, towards the north, lifts up the profile of a human face. 
And thus she seems like a great eartli being, recumbent through 
the centuries, with face towards the heavens, and supporting upon 
her ample bosom multitudes of her human children. 

"PVoni hilltops and mountain summits eastward and west- 
ward stretch A'isions of beauty. There may not be the awful 
grandeur which arrests attention in Switzerland or the Rocky 
mountains. One does not hold one's breath in fear and wonder. 
And yet you may travel the wide world over and see no picture 
of such rich and quiet charm as that which the valley of Lake 
Champlain gives to one standing on the western slopes of the 
Green mountains. . . . No one can spend a summer on the shores 
of that lake or on the slopes of the Green mountains without com- 
ing to ap]>reciate something of the strong attachment which binds 
every true Vermonter to his native State. It is like the love of 
the Swiss for his Alpine peaks and snow-girt valleys. It is a love 
that never fades away. Go where he may on the face of the earth 
the child of Vermont ever turns in memory a loving gaze on her 
hills and waters. . . . 

"I know of no State which preserves more of those noble 
qualities, where character speaks for more and the accidents of 
wealth and position speak for less. Kind, yet not gushing, 
hospitable, yet not demonstrative, they welcome you for what you 
are and not for what you have. It is a good thing for a man to 
turn from a winter of busy commercial, political or official life, 
and spend a quiet summer beneath the shadow of the Green 
mountains and beside the peaceful waters of Lake Champlain." 

Vermont's autumnal beauties should not be forgotten. In 
the fall of 191'-2 President and Mrs. Taft made an automobile tour 



Fomvord 9 

of this State when the mountain slopes were aflame with crimson 
and gold and they were enthusiastic in their praise of the mag- 
nificent beauty of these hills. Speaking at Barre, the President 
said of Vermont: "It is a State of red and gold and brown. It 
is fitting that a land of industry and thrift aud providence should 
be clothed in such colors." 

Not only is Vermont a State of varied and beautiful scenery 
but it also has a most interesting history. The late President M. 
H. Buckham, of the University of ^'ermont, said of this record: 
"It is a history inherently and essentially romantic. If when told 
it has not picturesqueness and pathos and dramatic incident, if it 
does not touch the heart and warm the blood, it is the fault of 
the historian and not the history." 

Vermont was settled by an adventurous race of pioneers. 
Not many came more than ten or twelve years before the beginning 
of the American Revolution, and thousands of soldiers flocked into 
the State soon after peace was declared. The hardships endured 
by these pioneers seem almost incredible to those who live in ease 
and comfort to-day. One of the most thrilling incidents in 
American history, and one that never has been adequately told, 
is the flight of the Vermont settlers to the southward, through a 
region for the most part a trackless wilderness, upon the ap- 
proach of Burgoyne's British army and his Indian allies, in the 
summer of 1777. Women with babes in their arms and little 
ones clinging to their garments fled through the forests, fearing 
that at any minute they might hear the warwhoop of the savage 
foe. 

For fourteen years \'erm(jnt was an independent republic 
and during a considerable j>ortion of that time was threatened 
not only by a foreign enemy but was surrounded by hostile 
neighbors, who (juestioned or denied her right to independent 
government. During the early years of her history Ethan Allen 
and the Green Mountain Boys captured Ticonderoga, the first 
important aggressive act of the Revolution, and Vermonters helped 
fight the battles of Bennington and Hubbardton. 

The State is famous for its dairy products and its majjle sugar, 
for its Morgan horses and its Merino sheep. It leads the world in 
the production of marble and the finer grades of granite. It ranks 
first in the United States in the production of chrysotile asbestos 
and second in the output of slate. Although small in area, few 
States exceed it in available water horse power. 

It is probably true that in historic importance Lake Champlain 
surpasses any other body of water in the western hemisphere. 
Long before the beginning of recorded history it was the highway 
of war parties, and for more than two centuries after its discovery 
by Samuel (^hamplain it was often the scene of conflict. Here 
France and England contended for the mastery of a continent. 



10 I'cniioiit, Tlw Land of Grcoi Mountains 

Here the fortresses of Ticonderoga and Crown Point were built. 
Here Montcalm and Amherst won laurels. Here Putnam and 
Stark learned the art of war. At Ticonderoga Ethan Allen "In 
the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress," 
first lowered the British flag in the long contest for American 
independence. On the waters of this lake was fought the first 
important naval engagement of the American Revolution, in 
which Benedict Amok! showed great gallantry as the American 
commander. Northward, by way of Lake Champlain, proceeded 
the American invasion of Canada in 1775, which was to end in 
suffering and disaster. Southward, over the waters of this lake, 
came Sir John Burgoyne in 1777, with an army of seasoned veterans 
and an imposing armada, destined never to return save as prisoners 
of war. On the waters of this lake was fought in 1814 the battle 
of Plattsljurg in which Macdonough won a most important and 
decisive victory for the American arms. On Lake Champlain 
was launched the second successful steamboat ever operated, 
and that only a few months after Fulton's Clermont began to 
navigate the Hudson river. 

Vermont never has been advertised as a sportsmen's paradise, 
but its fishing and hunting attractions are many. Its fish and 
game laws are designed to protect the interests of true sportsman- 
ship. During the year 191''2 the waters of this State were stocked 
from the State fish hatchery and the United States hatcheries 
with V2'i,'iiH,'iQ^ fry, and 337,584 fingerlings, representing brook 
trout, rainbow trout, lake trout, steelhead trout, brown trout, 
small-mouth black bass, large-mouth black bass, pike perch, 
yellow perch, white perch, landlocked salmon. Pacific salmon, 
Chinook salmon, silver salmon and smelt. 

The mountain streams afi'ord a great numl)er of good trout 
brooks, while the rivers and lakes contain an abundance of larger 
fish. Six tons of trout and salmon were taken from a compara- 
tively small lake in one year by legal methods. Nobody shoidd 
come to Vermont with the idea that a fisherman may be sure of 
filling his basket every time he casts a line, but he may be 
sure of as good fishing as may be obtained outside of the wilderness 
regions. 

In 1910, 3,609 deer were reported killed during the open 
season in Vermont, and in 1911, '2,644 deer were killed in this 
State, the difterence in number probably being due to the repeal 
of the law permitting the shooting of does. Occasionally moose 
are seen, but the law forbids the shooting of these animals. The 
references to fish and fishing made in various town sketches in 
this book are based upon the report of the State fish and game 
commissioner. 

Vermont is easily accessible to tourists. The train service 
is good. A business man mav leave New Vork or Boston at night 



fori-zcord 11 

anti reach \'ernioiit in the morning, and may leave Vermont on 
the night sleejier and reach the city the next morning. The 
automobile is bringing thousands of visitors to Vermont every 
season. Every year the State is spending larger and larger sums 
for improved highways. The natural dirt roads are better in 
\'ermont than in most Eastern States. Abundant deposits of 
good gravel are available, and roads are being drained and graded 
and surfaced with gravel, making automobile roads that stand 
wear much better, and ride more easily, than stone roads. 
Automobile tourists express great satisfaction at the excellent 
condition of the Vermont highways. 

This year the President of the United States has established 
his summer home just across the Connecticut river from Vermont 
where he may enjoy a charming view of the Green mountains. 
Persons who desire to establish summer homes will find it very 
much to their advantage to investigate the mountain and lake 
scenery of Vermont. There are many farms high up on the 
Vermont hillsides, or on the slopes of her mountains, where the 
field and the forest contend for the mastery, that do not produce 
abundant crops owing to the altitude, but they do yield abundant 
harvests of scenic beauty. Land eminently suitable for summer 
homes may be ])urchased, often ridiculously cheap. Probably no 
State in the Union offers more beautiful and desirable sites for 
summer homes at such reasonable rates as may be obtained in the 
Green Mountain State. 

Vermont stands as ready to furnish an enjoyable vacation to 
the person who has only a few dollars to spend as to the tourist 
possessed of great wealth. To very many persons this is an 
undiscovered country. All that Vermont asks is a fair investi- 
gation of what she has to offer the tourist, and her people are 
confident that no State can offer greater or more varied attractions. 

In addition to tliis l)()<)k any of the following publications will 
be sent free on a])plication: 

"Hotels and Hoarding Houses of Vermont." This pamphlet 
contains a full list of hotels and boarding houses of the State. 

"Automobile Law of Vermont," issued in convenient pam- 
phlet form. Vermont has a reciprocal automobile law which 
grants to the visitor from another State all the privileges his own 
State gives a Vermont-driven car. 

"Road Maj) of \'ermont," issued under the supervision of 
Hon. Gharles W. (Jates, State highway commissioner. 

"P^ish and (iame Laws." A pocket edition has been j^repared 
by Hon. John W. Titcomb, State fish and game commissioner. 

All incpiiries should be addressed to 

GUY W. HAH.EY, Secretari/ of State, 
PiBi.K riv Dei'artmknt, 

Essex Jinction, \'i:rmont. 



THE following facts regard- 
ing each town and city of 
the Commonwealth have 
been compiled by the State pub- 
licity department in the hope 
that their publication may add 
something to the interest and con- 
venience of the tourist public who 
are invited most heartily, and will 
be welcomed most cordially, 
to Vermont, the land of 
Green mountains. 



Adciiso>i Comity 13 

ADDISON COUNTY 

A D D I S O N — It is claimed that the first wliite settlement 
in Vermont west oi the Green mountains, with the exception of 
Fort St. Anne at Isle La Motte, was made at Chimney Point, in the 
present town of Addison, in 1731. During this year Fort St. 
Frederic was erected by the French on the opposite shore of Lake 
Champlain, at what is now known as Crown Point. It is claimed 
that a settlement was made here as early as 1G90 by Jacob De\Yarm, 
and there is some evidence that bears out this statement. It is 
certain, however, that there was a considerable settlement on the 
Vermont shore which was a jiart of the French occupation of Fort 
St. Frederic. Peter Kalm, who travelled throut>h this region in 
1749, said there were '■2,()00 or 3,000 people on l)oth sides of the lake 
here. When the French retired from Lake Champlain, at the close 
of the French and Indian War, the forts and other buildings were 
burned, and some chimneys left among the ruins of burned build- 
ings on the Vermont shore j)robably gave the name to Chimney 
Point. 

One of the first permanent settlers was John Strong, of 
Connecticut, who came in 1769 or 1770, and built on the founda- 
tions of an old French residence what local historians claim to have 
been the first dwelling erected in western \>rmont by a settler of 
English birth. Like many other towns in this part of the State 
there was much controversy over land titles during the early years 
of its history. A ])art of the town was granted by the governor 
of New York to Col. David Wooster, who afterwards became a 
major general in the American army during the Revolutionary 
War. The town was organized in 1784. 

The highest elevation in this town, which lies on the shore of 
Lake Champlain, is Grand View or Snake mountain in the eastern 
part, which is 1,'271 feet high. On this mountain is an observatory 
68 feet high. The view from this height is very extensive, in- 
cluding Lake Champlain from South bay to Cumberland head, 
nearly its entire length, which is 118 miles, the ruins of Forts 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point, the Adirondack mountains from 
Fort Edward on the Hudson river to the northern terminus of 
the range in Canada, and the Green mountains from near the 
Massachusetts border to Canada line. The spires of forty-two 
churches can be counted from this mountain. Bayard Taylor, the 
well-known author and traveller, visited this moiintain before the 
observatory was erected, and declared that he had seen nothing 
in Europe that excelled the remarkable view from this elevation, 
if, indeed, he had seen anything that equalled it. Oanberry 
pond, very deep, is on this mountain. East branch and West branch 
unite in this town and form Dead creek, which flows in a northerly 
direction. Pout, perch, and pickerel are caught in these streams. 



14 J'ciinoiit. The Lund of Green Mountains 

Fort St. Frederic Inn at Chinniey Point on Lake Champlain, is 
owned l)y Millard F. Barnes, being almost directly opposite the 
imposing monument at Crown Point, erected l)y the States of New 
York and Vermont, and for which France presented a beautiful 
bronze bas relief, "La France," the work of Rodin, the eminent 
sculptor. This monument takes the form of a memorial light 
tower and occupies a part of the works of the old French fortress. 
The west end of Fort St. Frederic Inn is believed to be a part of the 
ancient French fortifications. The lake is narrow at this point. 

Addison is an agricultural town and has been famous for its 
high-grade Merino sheep. In 1878 a fleece from Luman B. Clark's 
ram, Patrick Henry, took a gold medal at the Paris Exposi- 
tion. 

Josiali H. Benton, a famous Boston lawyer, and Silas G. Pratt, 
a well-known nnisical composer, are natives of this town. 

B R 1 D P () R T— The first settlement of Bridport, a town 
on Lake Champlain, was made in 1768, and the town was organized 
in 1784. 

In 177'-2 Ethan Allen, the famous leader of the Green Mountain 
lioys, on whose head a bounty had been i)laced by the Colonial 
authorities of New York, stopped overnight in this town at the 
home of a Mr. Richards. In the evening six armed soldiers from 
the British garrison at Crown Point called at the house to capture 
Allen. Such was their regard for his prowess that no attempt was 
made to take him during the evening. When he was shown to his 
room Mrs. Richards raised the window and Allen and his com- 
panion made their escape. When Allen was assembling his force 
in 1775 for the capture of Ticonderoga, he sent to Bridport to 
secure men and boats for the expedition. During a raid made by 
British troo])s from Canada in 1778 several prisoners were taken 
here. 

The town is watered by Lemon Fair river in the eastern part, 
and by two ])ranches of Dead creek which flow in a northerly 
direction. There is a range of hills in the eastern part of the town. 
Bridport oft'ers many attractions to the summer visitor. 

This is an agricultural town and is widely known for its high- 
grade Merino sheep. H. C. BurwelFs ram Bismarck took the 
sweejistakes ])rize for the best Merino ram of any age at the 
Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1870. This town was also 
the home of Black Hawk, one of the most noted of the famous 
Morgan strain of horses. Sherman Black Hawk, owned in this 
town, was considered in his day one of the most valuable of 
American horses. 

B R I S T O L— The town of Bristol was settled in 1786, one 
of the first settlers being Samuel Stewart, who served in the battle 
of Bunker Hill and with Arnold at Quebec. It was originally 










i'f^pcr piciiii-c, Bread Loaf Mouiitaiu from llic iiortii- 

-wcst. .Iddisoii County — Lozcrr picture. Bread 

Loaf Mountain from the south; a 

scene of abundant Jmrvcst. 



16 J'crnionf, The Laud of Green MoiDitaiiis 

called Pocock, in honor of a distinguished English admiral, the 
name being changed to Bristol in 1789, in which year the town was 
organized. 

The eastern part of the town is mountainous. About the 
center of the east line of the town this mountain range is cut by a 
ravine called the Great Notch, through which the New Haven 
river flows, its course for two miles being over such a rough 
bottom that the stream is very turbulent during high water. On 
the north side of the Notch is a mountain called Hogback, 3,648 
feet high. The elevation south of the Notch is known as South 
mountain. There are several ponds in the town, the largest of 
which is Bristol pond, in the northern part, a mile and a half long 
and three-fourths of a mile wide. In the southeastern part are 
Gilmore, North and Higgins i)onds. These ponds contain bass, 
perch, pickerel, and pout, and the streams contain trout. On the 
east side of South mountain, near the summit, is a small pond 
covering some ten or twelve acres. In digging for a dam near 
Bristol pond an Indian burial place was found, and skeletons, 
arrow heads, war clubs, stone knives and hammers and fragments 
of pottery were unearthed. One of the curiosities of the town is 
what is known as the Lord's Prayer rock, near the roadside, on 
which a Buffalo man caused the Lord's Prayer to be chiseled. 

Good water power is furnished. There is a bed of iron ore near 
the Monkton line. 

C O R N W A L L — ^The settlement of Cornwall was begun 
in 1774, but the settlers left during the American Revolution. 
Returning at the close of the conflict the town was organized 
in 1784. Signs of Indian occupation have been found. Many 
arrow heads have been plowed up and at one time fourteen of these 
were sent to Gen. Andrew Jackson as a present. 

Otter Creek forms the southeast boundary of the town. 
Lemon Fair river flows ac-ross the northwestern part. These 
streams contain pike, bass, pickerel, pout, and eels. Beaver 
brook contains trout. Cornwall is famous for its high-grade 
Merino sheep. Many of these blooded sheep have been shipped 
to South America, South Africa, Australia, and other remote 
portions of the world. 

Among the natives of this town who have gained distinction 
are Solomon Foot, L'nited States senator from Vermont, and Rev. 
Henry N. Hudson, the famous Shakespearean scholar. 

FERRIS B U R G— The settlement of Ferrisburg, a 
town on Lake Champlain, was begun just before the outbreak of the 
Revolutionary War. The town was abandoned during the conflict 
and it was not until 1784 that the first permanent settlement was 
made. In 1786 the town was organized. Many of the early 
settlers were Quakers. The town may have been named for 




c^^^^-^^ ^ 




Roadzvay on the shore of Lake Dunniorc. Salisbury 
toi\.'ii. .Iddison Coiinfv. 




18 J'cniiout, The Laud of Grccii Mountains 

Benjamin and David Ferris, wlio surveyed the township and 
divided it into lots. 

During the War of 181'-2 a small earth work called Fort Cassin 
was built at the mouth of Otter Creek, to ]irevent the British ships 
on Lake Champlain from ascending the river and destroying the 
American fleet being built at \'ergennes. The fort was named for 
Lieut. Stephen Cassin, one of Macdonough's officers. The 
British fleet api)eared off the mouth of the river, April 14, 1814, 
and attacked the fort, the engagement lasting about half an hour. 
Many shells lodged in the parapet, one gun was dismounted, and 
two men were slightly wounded. Several of the British ships 
were damaged and the fleet soon withdrew. 

Dead creek unites with Otter creek in this town and empties 
into Lake Champlain. The mouth of Little Otter is also in 
Ferrisburg and Lewis creek flows across the northern part of this 
town, emptying into Lake Champlain. Bass, pickerel, pout, 
suckers and eels are caught in the streams. There are several 
good liarbors on the lake shore, including Basin Harbor, where the 
Winans Brothers, ship carpenters, who built the first steamboat 
on Lake Champlain, made their home. This boat was called the 
Vermont and was the second successful steamboat to be built 
in this or any other country, Robert Fulton's Clermont being the 
first. There is a quarry of black marble in the northeast part of 
the town. 

(^ne of the best known of American dialect writers is the late 
Rowland Robinson, who was born in Ferrisburg and who returned, 
after he became blind, to the ancestral home, built more than a 
century ago. Here many of his delightful stories were wi-itten. 
Probably no writer has sin-passed Robinson in his sympathy with, 
and understanding of, Vermont character, and in his skillful use of 
the \^erniont dialect of the olden times. Another famous son of 
Ferrisburg is Charles N. Wicker, a New York banker and 
capitalist. 

GOSH E N — Goshen was chartered in ITS'-Z by the \'erniont 
Legislature, but the town was not settled until 1807, and was not 
organized until 1814. Situated as it is in the heart of the Green 
mountains, it contains many scenic attractions. Sugar liill, in 
this town, is '2,091 feet high. Dutton's pond is located in the 
northern part of the town and has an area of seventy-five acres. 
Pickerel are caught in its waters. 

G R A N V I L L E — The settlement of Granville was l)egim 
in 178'-2, and the town was organized in 1788. Originally it was 
called Kingston. Reuben King being one of the grantees. The 
name was changed to Granville in 18.S3. 

The western jiortion lies on the ridge of the Green mountains. 
Several mountain streams unite here to form the White river, 






I'/^pcr /^ictiirr. Entrance io Lake Dunmorc Drive. 

Snlishnry tmcn. .Iddison Cotnity — Loivcr picture. 

Sunset Lake. OriceU toi^'n. .iddi.wu County. 



20 I'crntoiit, The Laud of Green Mountains 

one of the largest of the trilnitaries that tlie Connecticut river 
receives in Vermont. Mad ri\er rises in tlie northern part and 
flowing' through Washington county becomes one of the tributaries 
of the Winooski river, and so finds its way to Lake Champlain. 
The streams contain trout. A broad valley watered by the White 
river extends through the town from north to south. One of the 
most picturesque features of Granville is Moss Glen falls, where 
one of the branches of the White river falls over massive rocks 
a hundred feet high with a perpendicular fall of fifty feet. A hole 
ten feet deep has been worn in the solid rock. Surrounding the 
falls is a beautiful glen. A large cave called Bear Den, in which 
many bears have been taken, is found in Granville. 

One of the principal industries of the town is the mining and 
manufacture of talc, at East Granville. The entrance to the mine 
is three hundred feet above the le\'el of the valley and eighteen 
hundred feet back from the railroad. Talc is brought down the 
mountain for milling by a gravity system. 

H A N C O C K — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1788, and it was organized in 179'^. It is mountainous ami 
contains many scenic attractions, including beautiful water falls. 
Moimt Vernon pond, a half mile in diameter, is accessible only 
by steps cut in the rocks. Dunham's pond, or Pleiad lake, in the 
western part of the town, having an area of 150 acres, is located 
at an altitude of '-2,000 feet, and is fed by springs. Leicester and 
Middlebury ri\'ers rise in the western part. The White river 
rises in the eastern part. The streams are stocked with trout. 

L E I C E S T E R— The settlement was begun in 1770. 
Some of the settlers were captured and taken to Quebec during 
the Revolutionary War and the town was abaniloned until hos- 
tilities had ceased. It was organized in 1786. 

Bald mountain extends across nearly the whole eastern part. 
Mount Pleasant, in the northern part, affords a fine view of the 
surrounding country. The southern part of Lake Dunmore is 
in licicester. Silver lake, in the northeastern part, is so called 
from the silver white sand which covers the bottom of the lake. 
This lake is 670 feet above Lake Dimmore, more than l,'-200 feet 
above sea level and has an area of 160 acres. Little pond has an 
area of 300 acres. The town is watered by Otter Creek and 
Leicester river. The rivers contain pickerel, pout, and bass, 
while lake trout, i)ike, pickerel, perch, and pout are caught in the 
lakes and ponds. There are several good trout brooks here. 

There are iron ore deposits in the eastern part. Mineral 
paint works were established in 1866. There are also dejjosits 
of marble, and lime kilns are oj)erated. 

Leicester has furnished one congressman to the State of 
Vermont in the person of Henry Olin. 



Addison County 21 

L I N C O L N — Lincoln was first settled in 1795, many of the 
early settlers being Quakers. It was organized in 1798. 

This is a town of steep hills, rocky ravines, mountain l^rooks 
and cascades. The New Haven river flows through a stony 
channel, often making precipitous descents and many fine mill 
privileges are aft'orded. Several branches of Mad ri\er rise in 
the eastern part. Lincoln mountain or Potato hill 4,078 feet 
in height, in the eastern j)art, commands a magnificent view of the 
surrounding country and is one of the highest in the State. Cobb 
hill and Grant mountain are in the southern part. The river 
road from Lincoln to Bristol is wild and picturesque, and many 
great boulders may be seen near the highway. 

MIDDLE B U R Y— .Aliddlebury, the shire town of 
Addison county, was settled in 1766 by John Chipman of Salis- 
bury, Conn., and others. Most of the buildings were destroyed 
during the Revolution by Indians and Tories. It was organized 
in 1786. Evidences of an Indian encampment have been fomid 
here. 

The town is watered by Otter Creek and Middlebury ri\ers, 
and Dow ])ond is located in the eastern part. Chipman hill, in 
the northeastern part of the village, is a terminal moraine, 400 feet 
above the level of the railroad track. The ascent is easy and from 
its summit may be obtained an extensive view of the Green 
moimtain range and the Adirondacks, including Mount Marcy. 

In this beautiful, typical New England village, Middlebury 
College was established in the year 1800. Although one of the 
smaller of the New England colleges, it numbers among its grad- 
uates many very famous and successful men. The college has 
grown rapidly during the last few years and many new and beau- 
tiful buildings have l)een erected. The Starr Library is an arciii- 
tectural gem. 

Deposits of marble were discoveretl in Middlebury as early 
as 1802 and the first extensive manufacture of marble in Vermont 
was conducted here. At the present time the working of marble 
forms one of Middlebury's principal industries. 

Middlebury is noted for the inventors it has produced. 
Jeremiah Hall, a local mechanic, invented the circular saw, which 
he used for his own convenience, but did not ol)tain any financial 
benefit therefrom. The method of welding cast steel was dis- 
covered by Josiah Nichols, Daniel Pettiboneand Ezekiel Chai)man, 
who had it patented but never realized much profit. Isaae E. 
Markham originated the process of sawing marble by water power 
with sand and water and toothless saws. He also invented a wool 
picking machine. Norman Tupper originated the idea of manu- 
facturing window sashes by machinery. 

Mi<l(llebury has been the home of a goodly number of famous 
people. United States Senators Horatio Seymour and S. S. 



22 Vcnnont, The Laud of Green Moitiihiiiis 

Phelj).s lived here. John W. Stewart, governor, congressman and 
United States senator, is an honored resident. William Slade, 
go\'ernor, congressman and compiler of Slade's State Papers, 
Charles K. Williams, judge of the supreme court and governor, 
Daniel Chipman and James Meacham, congressmen, all were 
residents of Middlebury. Emma Willard, a pioneer in the edu- 
caticMi of women, taught here before she started her famous school 
at Troy, N. Y. John C. Black, a prominent Chicago banker, 
Sanmel Sheldon, an expert electrical engineer, and William H. 
Porter, a New York banker, and member of the firm of J. Pierpont 
Morgan & Co., were born here. 

M O N K T O N— The settlement of Monkton was begun in 
1774 and the town was organized in 1786. Many evidences of 
an Indian village have been found on the shores of Bristol pond 
in the southern part. Barnabas Barnnm, one of the first settlers, 
was killed at the siege of the Shelburne blockhouse in 1778. A 
little way south of Monkton Boro may be found the Tory rocks, 
so called because a party of Tories is said to have been ca})tured 
here during the Revolutionary War. 

Hogback mountain extends across the eastern portion. 
Monkton pond, in the northern part is about one mile long and 
is half a mile wide. It contains bass, ])ickerel, perch, and pout. 
Little Otter Creek flows through the western part. One of the 
natural curiosities is a cavern in the northwestern part, the en- 
trance being at the bottom of a large chasm on the side of a hill. 
Descending about sixteen feet one enters a room thirty feet long 
and sixteen feet wide. From this room there is a passage to a 
second but smaller room. 

Iron ore is found in Monkton, also extensive beds of kaolin. 

James M. GiflPord, a well-known New York lawyer, and an 
officer and director of many large corporations, was born here. 

NEW HAVE N — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1769 and it was organized in 1787. New Haven was the scene 
of a fierce controversy between the Creen Mountain Boys, who 
held their land titles from New Hampshire, and others who had 
been granted lands by New York. Col. John Reid, with an 
armed party of Yorkers, forcibly ejected the settlers holding New 
Hampshire grants, claiming both sides of Otter Creek two miles 
wide from the mouth of the river to Sutherland falls, now known 
as Proctor, by virtue of a New York grant. He built houses and 
a grist mill. The New York settlers were dispossessed by Ethan 
Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. Reid came back with a 
party of Scotch immigrants, took forcible possession and repaired 
the mill. The Yorkers were driven off again by Ethan Allen, 
the mill stones broken and thrown over the falls and the settlers 
were reinstated. A fort was bnilt and garrisoned under the 





rim in Addison Coiiiily. shozvmg Mount Moosulainoo 
wifh tin- .Idiroiidacks in the dishiiicc. 




---^-<C_«=<, 



24 Vermont. The Laud of Green Mountains 

direction of Ebenezer Allen, who was later prominent as a Vermont 
officer during the Revolutionary War. Later the settlement was 
broken up hy Jacob Sherwood, a Tory and a Yorker. 

One of the first settlers was Solomon Brown, who partici- 
pated in the battle of Lexington, and is said to have been the 
first man to shed British blood in that battle. He was also the 
first person to bring to Lexington, on that historic day, the in- 
formation that British soldiers were on their way thither. 

Otter Creek flows through this town and receives the waters 
of the New Haven river. Little Otter Creek rises here. 

Near the Middlebury line are marble deposits. 

Curtis L. Lampson, born in New Haven, went to Canada in 
his youth and thence to London, England, where he accumulated 
a large fortune. He was prominently identified with the laying 
of the first Atlantic cable and was knighted by Queen Victoria. 
He gave money for erecting a school house at New Haven Mills 
and furnished it with a library. 

O R W E L L — The first settlement in Orwell was made three 
years before the beginning of the Revolutionary War by a Scotch- 
man named John Charter, but owing to the fact that the outbreak 
of war made residence in this region unsafe, no further attempt 
at settlement was made until 1783. The town was organized in 
1787. 

This town is located on Lake Champlain and is directly 
opposite the historic fortress of Ticonderoga. During the year 
1776 a large body of American troops was stationed in the town 
mostly on and in the vicinity of the eminence now known as 
Mount Lidependence. On July '■28, 1776, the Declaration of 
Independence was read to the army l)y Colonel, afterward General, 
St. Clair, and the hill was christened Moimt Independence, in 
honor of the Declaration adopted at Philadelphia on July 4th 
of that year. The Ticonderoga works, of which the encampment 
at Orwell was a part, were laid out by Thaddeus Kosciusko, the 
Polish patriot. On the summit of Moimt Independence, which 
was a tableland, a strong, star-shaped fort was erected, well sup- 
plied with artillery. In the center was a scjuare of barracks, part 
of which was occupied as a hospital. A breastwork was 
thrown up at the foot of Mount Inde])endence toward Lake 
Champlain, strengthened by an abatis. A floating bridge 400 
yards long connected this portion of the works with Ticon- 
deroga. Above the bridge a boom of large timbers was 
erected, secured by iron bolts and on this was fastened a double 
iron chain with links an inch and a half square. These works 
were completed under Col. Anthony Wayne, who became later 
one of the most ])rominent of American generals. A part of 
Benedict Arnold's fleet, with which he eugaged the British squad- 
ron on Lake Champlain later in the year 1776 was constructed 




<s^^^--^^^ ^ 





Shore TvVti', /,(//.'(' Diiiiiiiorr. Jddisoii County. 



26 Vcruiout, The Land of Green Mountains 

here. Tlie occuj)<itioii of Mount Defiance, wliich coninianded tlie 
works at Fort Ticonderoga, compelled St. Clair to retreat under 
cover of night and his retreat was discovered by the burning of 
the house of General De Fermoy on Mount Independence. The 
great chain and boom, which it was supposerl would pre^•ent the 
British fleet from sailing farther south, was speedily cut and that 
portion of the American troo})s which went by water to Skenes- 
borough, now Whitehall, was pursued by British ships. During 
the American occupation of Ticonderoga and Mount Indepen- 
dence there was much sickness among the American troops, many 
cases resulting fatally, and a considerable number of soldiers were 
buried there. In 1908 a granite monument was erected on Mount 
Independence by Hands Cove chapter, Daughters of the Amer- 
ican Revolution. 

This town, like many others in Addison county, is famous for 
its fine Merino sheep. 

A branch of Lemon Fair river waters the eastern part. 
Choate pond, Johnson jjond, and Spruce pond, are located in the 
southern part. Lily pond is famous for its water lilies. Other 
bodies of water are Sunset lake. Smith's pond, and Little pond. 

PANTO N — Panton, one of the towns on Lake Champlain, 
was first settled in 1764, but was not organized imtil 1784. In 
the early part of the Revolution, a Congressional committee was 
appointed to investigate the condition of the American army in 
Canada. This committee consisted of Benjamin Franklin. 
Samuel Chase, and Charles Carroll of Carrolton. Mr. Carroll being 
best known in later years as the last surviving signer of the Declar- 
ation of Inde])endence. It was necessary for the committee to 
reach Canada by way of Lake Champlain and this distinguished 
party spent the night of April 24, 1776. at the home of Peter 
Ferris, in Panton. 

Defeated in his luival engagement with the British, Oct. 13, 
1776, Benedict Arnold ran his flagship Congress and four gondo- 
las into the mouth of a creek flowing into a bay on the Panton 
shore, since that time known as Arnold's bay. The small arms 
were removed and the ships set on fire with colors still flying and 
were burned to the water's edge. Arnold was the last man to 
leave the fleet, staying on board until he was sure that the flames 
would do their work, then he climl)ed along the bowsprit of his 
flagship anddroppetl to the beach, making his way thence by land 
to Crown Point. In the fall of 1778 every house but one in town 
was burned by a British invading party. 

The Otter Creek forms a portion of the eastern boundary. 
Dead creek flows through the center of the town. Some marble 
deposits have been found in Panton. 

RIPTON — The settlement of Ripton was begun in 1801 
and the town was organized in 18'-28. 



Addison County 27 

This town is situated on an elevated table-land, the eastern 
part extending up to the summit of the Green mountains. In 
the western part is a range of high hills. One of the highest peaks 
is Breadloaf mountain. This town, large in area, is noted for its 
fine mountain scenery and its good trout fishing. It has been 
transformed into a vast preserve l)y Joseph Battell of Middlebury, 
proprietor of the Breadloaf Inn. a famous summer resort, located 
here, surrounded by thousands of acres of primeval forest. 
^Middlebury river is the principal stream. One of the noticeable 
features of Ripton is the large number of boulders left here during 
the Ice age. 

S A L I S B L R Y — The first settlement made in Salisbury 
was in 1774. The town was organized in 1788. One of the first 
settlers was Amos Story, who was killed by a falling tree. The 
year after his death his wife, Mrs. Ann Story, a woman of great 
strength and fortitude, with her six children, proceeded to occupy 
her husband's claim in this wilderness, where wolves and panthers 
and lather savage beasts roamed the forests. Here she made a 
home for herself and her family. It is said she could cut trees 
and roll logs as well as a man and could use a musket to good 
advantage. Most of the settlers in this town left during the 
Revolution, but Mrs. Story remained and her home became the 
stopping place for American patriots. Her house was burned by 
the Indians but she rebuilt it. A cave dug in the bank of Otter 
Creek, the entrance being concealed by bushes, was used as a place 
of refuge by this l)rave woman and her family. Mrs. Story is 
one of the interesting characters in the well-known \'erm()nt novel, 
"The Green Mountain Boys." In 1905 a monument was erected 
bearing the following inscription: "On this sj)ot stood the home 
of Ann Story. In grateful memory of her service in the 
struggle of the Green Mountain Boys for the independence of 
Vermont, erected by Vermont Society of Colonial Dames, May 
30th, 11)0.5." 

Probably the most attractive of the many scenic features of 
this town is Lake Dunmore, a beautiful sheet of water surrounded 
by mountains. This lake is about five miles long and one mile 
wide and a part of it is located in the neighboring town of Leicester. 
The story goes that during the Colonial ])eriod. Lord Dunmore 
and a party came up Leicester river to the ])resent site of the 
village of Salisbury, {)roceeding thence on foot to the lake, where 
the earl waded into the water a few steps and pouring uj)on its 
surface a libation of wine, christened it Lake Dunmore. On the 
eastern side of the lake, is Moosalamoo mountain, several miles 
in length, with an altitude of '2,656 feet. One of the interesting 
and picturescpie features of this region is a series of beautiful 
cascades called Liana falls, bv which the waters of Silver lake. 



28 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

located 070 feet above Lake Dunniore, reach the hitter hike. One 
of the historic spots in the vicinity of tlie hike is Ethan Allen's 
Ca^'e, where local tradition says the leader of the Green Mountain 
Boys, with twenty of his followers, held his own against an attack 
made by a regiment of his enemies. The scene of a considerable 
portion of "The Green Mountain Boys" is laid in this region. 
Rattlesnake point, a ledge about '2, 000 feet above Lake Dunmore, 
is said to have been used as a lookout by the Lidians, and a mag- 
nificent view may be seen from this elevation. Several summer 
hotels have been built around Lake Dunmore. The lake contains 
bass, trout, perch, pout, and pickerel. The name of the town was 
given in honor of Salisbury, Conn., from which many of the early 
Vermont leaders emigrated. 

Otter Creek forms the western b o u n d a r y of the town. 
Middlebury and Leicester rivers flow through Salisbury. In 
addition to the mountains named, the principal elevations are 
Mount Bryant and Sunset hill. 

S H O R E H A M— The settlement of Shoreham, on Lake 
Champlain, was begun about 1766, by Ephraim Doolittle, a 
captain in General Amherst's army, who had helped to lay out 
the military road from Crown Point to No. 4, now known as 
Charlestown, N. H. The early settlers adopted what was known 
as the Moravian plan, and had all things in common until the 
settlement was broken up by the Revolutionary War. The town 
was organized in 1786. Most of the early settlers were Colonial 
or Revolutionary soldiers, and a marker has been erected on the 
site where the Colonial troops encamped when they were laying 
out the military road. 

The highest elevation in town is called the Pinnacle, from the 
sununit of which a magnificent view of Lake Champlain, the Green 
mountains and the Adirondacks may be obtained. The other 
important elevations are Cream hill. Mutton hill, and Barnum's 
hill. The Lemon E;iir river flows through the eastern i)art. 
Richville pond, having an area of 7.5 acres, contains trout, pickerel, 
and perch. In the western part is a bed of black marble, and iron 
ore deposits have been discovered. Daniel Lambert, a famous 
Morgan stallion, said to have been one of the greatest speed sires 
in the world, was owned for many years in this town. 

Silas H. Jennison, the first Vermont-born governor in the 
State, and Charles Rich, a congressman, were residents of this 
town. Among the natives of Shoreham who attained national 
prominence are Columbus Delano, a well-known Ohio congress- 
man, and secretary of the interior in President Grant's cabinet, 
and Levi P. Morton, a New York banker, who has been minister 
to France, governor of New York, and \ice-president of the 
Lnited States. 




I'irw oil Oth-r Creek near Mio'dlehury. . hldisnii County. 




30 I'cDiioiif. 'flic Land of Grcc-ii M ouiihiiiis 

STARKSBOR O The settlement of Starksboro was 
begun in 1788, many of the first settlers being Quakers. The 
town was organized in 1796. 

This town is in the heart of the Green mountains and is 
noted for its wild and picturesque scenery. East mountain 
extends along the eastern boundary with a precipitous descent 
to the east toward Huntington river, which is partially in Starks- 
boro. Hogback mountain is in the western part. 

There are several good water j)()wers in town. 

\'ERGENNE S— The first settlement was made here 
in 1766 by Donald Mcintosh, a Scotchman, who came to America 
with (ieneral Wolfe's army. Fort William was built here 
during the Revolutionary War. In 1788 the city of Vergennes 
was incorporated, its area lacking 80 acres of two scjuare miles. 
One square mile was taken from Ferrisburg and the remainder 
from Panton and New Haven. Only two New England cities, 
Hartford and New Haven, Conn., were incorporated before 
Vergennes. 

In 1785 Hector St. John De Crevecoeur, French consul at 
New York, suggested to his friend Ethan Allen that some of the 
new Vermont towns be named in honor of well-known Frenchmen. 
.\llen took the matter up with the governor and council and when 
a city was laid out at the head of navigation on Otter Creek, it 
was named Vergennes in honor of Count Vergennes, a French 
statesman. 

Here were constructed the ships with which Commodore 
Macdonough defeated the British fleet at Plattsburg in 1814. 
Forty days from the time the trees were growing in the Vermont 
forests the flagship Saratoga was launched. When the length 
of time necessary for the construction of the modern warship is 
considered, the changes in the methods of naval construction 
during the past century are made ai)parent by this illustration. 

The falls on the Otter Creek at this ))lace, seven miles from 
its mouth, are among the best in the State. These falls have a 
descent here of 37 feet and are divided into three distinct i)arts by 
two islands. Plans are under way for a considerable further 
de\'elopment of the Vergennes power. The State Industrial 
School for the reformation of wayward boys and girls is located 
liere. 

Vergenn(>s has furnishetl to the State one member of Congress 
in the person of Frederick E. Woodbridge. 

W A L T H A M— Waltham, one of the smallest of Vermont 
towns, was settled in 1769 and was named for Waltham, Mass., 
by one of the first settlers. It was organized in 1796, being set 
off from \hv town of New Haven. Buck mountain extends 





I.Uuui C'ltsnidcs in the tai^^ii of Sallsfuiry. .Iddison 
Coiiiilv. 





cniioJit. 












The 


Laud 




V 


of Urc 


•cii Moiiiitaiiis 



32 

through tlie town and furnishes an extensive view of tlie surround- 
ing country. The town is watered by Otter Creek. 

W E Y B R I D G E— This town was first settled in 1775, 
and was organized in 1789. In 1778 the settlement was broken 
up by a party of Indians and Tories, many of the houses were 
burned, some of the men were taken prisoners and the women and 
children who took refuge in a cellar were obliged to subsist for 
ten days on a few potatoes that had been overlooked by the 
invaders. The refugees were rescued by American troops and 
taken to Pittsford. 

The Otter Creek and the Lemon Fair rivers flow through this 
town. There are five water falls on the former ri\er, within a 
distance of five miles within the limits of Weybridge. Suckers, 
pickerel, bass, and perch are caught in these streams. The United 
States Morgan horse breeding farm is located here on a farm of 
435 acres given to the government by Col. Joseph Battell. There 
are about 70 horses on this farm, including eight or ten of the 
finest Morgan stallions to be found, lieaded In' the famous sire. 
General Gates. 

George T. Tobin, a well known portrait painter, was born 
in Weybridge, and the boyhood of Silas Wright, later governor 
of New York, congressman. United States senator, and famous 
party leader, was spent on a farm here. 

W H I T I N G— This town was chartered to Col. John 
Whiting of Wrentham, Mass., and Eliphalet and Asa Whiting. 
The settlement was begun in 1773. The town was abandoned 
during the Revolution and a town organization was effected in 
1783. 

When Ethan Allen sought to rally the Green Movmtain Boys 
in 1775 for an attack on the fortress of Ticonderoga, he sought 
the aid of Gershom Beach of Whiting, to notify the Vermonters 
that their assistance was needed. In twenty-four hours Beach 
travelled on foot 64 miles through a country most of which was a 
wilderness without any roads that in any way api)roached what 
we now consider as highways. This remarkable achievement has 
been celebrated by Mrs. Julia C. R. Dorr in a stirring poem 
entitled "The xA.rmourer's Errand." As a mark of recognition 
General Washington presented Beach with a silk vest on which the 
portrait of the American commander was woven in silk. 

The Otter Creek flows through the eastern ])art, and forms 
a portion of the eastern boimdary. In area Whiting is smaller 
than most of the towns of Addison county. 

Philetus Sawyer, a wealthy lumberman, who for many years 
was a United States senator from Wisconsin, was born here. 



Bennington County 33 

BENNINGTON COUNTY 

ARLINGTO N— Arlington is one of the oldest of \ev- 
niont towns, its settlement having been begun in 1763. The early 
records of the town were lost or destroyed in 1777 by the town 
clerk who became a Tory and fled to Canada. For this reason 
the exact date of the organization of the town is not known, but 
it is supposed to have been about 1768. Some of Vermont's most 
prominent leaders lived here for a time during the formative period 
of the State. Ethan Allen resided here for several years and here 
his first wife and two of his children were buried. There was 
considerable Tory sentiment here during the Revolution. 

The Battenkill river enters the town from Sunderland, flows 
southwesterly, turns nearly at right angles and flows in a north- 
westerly direction. A remarkable feature is the gorge between 
Red mountain and West mountain, through which the Battenkill 
flows. Here the river has broken through the mountain barrier, 
which is nearly 3,000 feet high on either side and this gives to the 
village of Arlington during the long days of the summer, sunlight 
nearly an hour and a half after the sun has disappeared from sight 
a half mile north and south of this gorge. This town is situated 
on the New York border. There is a cave in the northeastern 
part of the town. Duck pond has an area of 75 acres. This 
pond and several brooks contain trout. 

Marble deposits have been discovered here. 

B E N N I N G T O N— Bennington, by aU odds the most 
important town, and the most populous in the early history of 
the State, was named for Benning Wentworth, the Colonial 
governor of New Hampshire, who granted a large number of 
towns in this region known before the Revolution as the New 
Hampshire Grants. Capt. Samuel Robinson of Massachusetts, 
an officer in the British army in the French and Indian War, 
during that conflict lost his way and came up the valley of the 
Walloomsac river. Liking that section so well, after the war had 
closed, he organized a company and purchased land in what is now 
Bennington. The settlement of the town was begun in 1761 and 
the town was organized in 176*2, 

Most of the early settlers were members of a religious sect 
known as Separatists who came from Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut in 1763. Among the emigrants were Rev. Jedediah Dewey 
and most of his parish. Bennington was the center of operations 
for the Green Mountain Boys in their resistance to the claims 
made by holders of New York land grants. Here, in the old 
Catamount tavern, Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Remember Baker, 
and other Vermont leaders of an early date, met to lay their plans 



34 J'cniioiif, The Land of Green Mountains 

and here the plan of campaign for the capture of Fort Ticonderoga 
in May, 177.5, was outlined. 

After General Burgoyne had cajitured Fort Ticonderoga in 
1777, and had made Lake Champlain a British lake, he started 
for the Hudson river, expecting to unite his forces with those of 
General Howe at Albany. When he reached the Hudson, after 
experiencing almost incredible hardships in his march through 
the wilderness, he found that his supply of provisions was de- 
ficient. Most of his su])plies must cross the Atlantic, ascend the 
St. Lawrence river, thence proceed southward by way of the 
Richelieu river and Lake Champlain to Ticonderoga, and be 
transported from that ])oint to the encampment of the army. 
This method of obtaining supi)lies naturally was attended with 
many delays and difficulties. 

Learning that the Americans had established a depot of 
supj)lies in Bennington, Burgoyne sent Lieutenant Colonel Baum 
with 600 or 700 Hessian troops and 100 Indians to capture these 
stores. The Americans had been warned of this ap])roach and had 
rallied under the leadership of Gen. John Stark of New Hampshire. 
Being aroused by the imminent danger of this invasion, the militia 
of Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts had rallied, about 
1,600 strong. Finding greater opposition than he had expected 
as he approached Bennington, on August 14, 1777, Baum took 
position on a wooded hill with the Walloomsac river in front, 
where the hill rises precipitously 300 or 400 feet from the stream, 
and entrenched his position. The following day, August 15th, 
was so rainy that no general action was undertaken. 

On the morning of August 16, General Stark sent out two 
detachments, one under Colonel Nichols of New Hamjishire, 
making a wide detour to the north, and another under Colonel 
Herrick of Vermont, making a wide detour to the south, both 
uniting to attack the rear of the British position. While these 
troops were marching to gain their destination, Stark attracted 
the attention of the enemy by threatening an attack on their front. 
Soon after the attack of Herrick and Nichols began, the engage- 
ment became general all along the line, and the British were over- 
powered after desperate fighting and surrendered. The prisoners 
were sent to Bennington under guard and the militia had dispersed 
over the battlefield to collect plunder, when news came that British 
reinforcements of more than 600 men under Colonel Breyman 
were only two miles away. The Americans were thrown into 
confusion, but, fortunately. Col. Seth Warner's force of about 
140 men arrived from Manchester and took ])osition in front, 
serving as a rallying point for the scattered militia. Warner 
slowly retreated until his force was increased and he was able to 
make a stand some 40 or 50 rods east of the present Walloomsac 
railroad station. Breyman was attacked in front and on the 






<^^^^<:r-^^^ ^ 



Upfcr picture. Mt. Equiiio.v. Manchester foK'it. Beii- 

iiiiu/foii Comity — Loiver picture, Point of 

Roe/cs. near Bennington T^illage. 



PCJ3C 




36 I'cnnoiit, The Land of Green Mountains 

flanks and the battle was waged until after sunset, when the 
British retreated, being pursued by Stark as long as he could 
see. 

The British lost 207 men killed, 658 prisoners, 4 brass field 
pieces and several hundred stands of arms. Colonel Bauni, and 
Colonel Pfister, commander of the Tory detachment, were mortally 
wounded and were taken about a mile to a house in Shaftsbury, 
still standing, where they died. The American loss was 40 men 
killed and 30 wounded. General Burgoyne afterwards admitted 
that this defeat was the beginning of his downfall. 

The centennial anniversary of this battle was celebrated in 
1877, President Hayes, members of his cabinet and a distin- 
guished company being present. On August 16, 1887, near the 
site of the storehouse, the contents of which the British sought to 
capture in 1777, was laid the corner stone of the Bennington 
Battle monument. The cap stone was laid November 29, 1889, 
and the monument was dedicated August 19, 1891, this year being 
the 100th anniversary of Vermont's existence as a State of the 
Union. President Harrison, members of his cabinet, many 
distinguished citizens and a great concourse of people were 
present. 

This monument was constructed of a blue-gray magnesium 
limestone or dolomite. The height is 306 feet, 4}^ inches. The 
base at the surface is 37 feet square. The entrance is 20 feet 
square and 39 feet high. The grand lookout room is 8 feet square. 
The architect was J. Philip Rinn of Boston. In the old cemetery 
of the First Church a granite marker 23^2 x 43-^ x 6 feet has been 
erected bearing this inscription: "Around this stone lie buried 
many patriots who fell in the Battle of Bennington August 16, 
1777. Here also rest British soldiers, Hessians, who died from 
wounds after the battle as captives. They were confined in the 
first meeting house built in Vermont which stood on the green 
west of this burying ground. Bennington Historical Society 
1896." On the site of the old Catamoimt tavern, a bronze figure 
of a catamount of heroic size, on a high granite pedestal, has been 
erected. On the camping ground of General Stark's troops near 
North Bennington, has been erected a granite monument 21/2 x 4 x 5 
feet, bearing the historic words of Gen. John Stark, said to have 
been uttered on the morning of the battle of Bennington: "There 
are the Redcoats and they are ours or this night Molly Stark sleeps 
a widow." A monument to Col. Seth Warner, surmounted by a 
statue has been erected, the gift of Col. Olin Scott of Bennington. 
Among other historic markers in Bennington is a bronze tablet 
on a granite boulder of about six tons weight, marking the site 
of the office where William Lloyd Garrison, the famous anti- 
slavery leader, edited the Journal of the Times from October 5. 
1828, until March 27, 1829. 



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.-/ /?;/ c>/ rustic sccuciy in Bciiiiiiu/toii County. 




38 ]'cr)iionf. The Land of Green Mountains 

Bennington is situated on the New York border. The town 
is watered by the Walloomsac river. Bald mountain, 31'-24 feet 
liigh. is in the northeastern part of the town. ^Nlount Anthony, 
'■2,505 feet high is in the southwestern part. J. C. Colgate, a 
wealthy New York banker, who has a beautiful home near the 
foot of the mountain, has constructed a fine carriage drive which 
winds around the mountain six miles to its summit. The Vermont 
Soldiers Home is located in Bennington and the fountain on the 
grounds throws a stream 190 feet high, which is said to be the 
highest fountain in the United States. Edward Everett, a 
wealthy manufactiu-er of Newark, Ohio, has constructed a beau- 
tiful residence near Bennington village and has planted 36,000 
fruit trees, all but '2,000 of them being apple trees. 

There are three villages in town, Bennington, Old Bennington, 
and North Bennington. In 101'2 the 150th anniversary of the 
founding of the town was celebrated with a pageant and other 
exercises. Among the famous men who have lived here were 
IVIoses Robinson, the first chief judge of the supreme court, one 
of the first United States senators and governor; Jonathan Robin- 
son, chief judge of the su])reme court and United States senator; 
Isaac Tichenor, judge of the supreme court, governor and United 
States senator; Hiland Hall, congressman, governor, judge and 
historian; John S. Robinson, governor; Orasmus C. Merrill, 
cougressman. Trenor W. Park, president of the Panama railroad 
and well known as a financier, maintained a residence here. Among 
the prominent residents at the present time are Hon. John G. 
McCullough, prominent in the early history of California and 
former governor of Vermont; Hon. O. M. Barber, judge of the 
customs court of appeals; and Rear Admiral Wells Laflin Field. 
One of the jjrominent summer residents is F. B. Jennings, of the 
firm of Stetson, Jennings and Russell, one of the leading corpor- 
ation lawyers of New York city, and a native of this town. 

DORS E T — The first settlement was made in Dorset in 
17()8 and the town was organized in 1774. At the tavern of Cephas 
Kent on July 24, 1770. was held the first general convention to 
consider the organization of ^'ermont as a free and independent 
State. 

Dorset mountain extends from north to south nearly through 
the center of the town, the highest peak having an altitude of 
3,148 feet. Other important elevations are Owl's head and Green 
peak, all of these being a part of the Taconic range, while the 
Green mountains lie along the eastern border. The Battenkill 
river and a branch of Otter Creek rise on the same farm, one 
flowing north and reaching the ocean by way of Lake Champlain 
and the St. Lawrence river and the other through the Hudson 
river. One of the attractive features of the town is Dorset pond, 
the waters of which are a beautiful emerald green. There are 





I'fh'i' picture, Batfciikill River. Sunderland toii'n. 

Henniiifjtoii County — Lower picture, Munson's 

l-'alls. Mtinehestcr toien, Bcniiiiif/lon County. 




40 Vennout, The Land of Green Hlounfains 

several caverns in Dorset. Tliere are tront in the streams and 
bass in the pond. 

Dorset is the center of an important marble industry. The 
first ciuarries were opened as early as 1785. The light and dark 
green shades quarried here are very popular. Dorset marble 
has been used for the New York jjublic library, the Harvard 
medical school, and other important l)uildings. There are beds 
of brown hematite ore in this town. 

Among the sununer residents of the town are several artists 
and literary people, including Edwin Lefevre, the well-known story 
writer. One of the attractions for summer visitors may be found 
in the Dorset golf links. 

GLASTENBUR Y— The settlement of Glastenbury 
was begun about the time of the American Revolution or soon 
after, but the town was not organized until 1834. The population 
is very small. This is a mountain town and from these mountain 
summits, streams flow north, south, east and west. Bald and 
Glastenbury mountains are the most elevated peaks. The brooks 
are well filled with trout. Faysville pond, with an area of 'iOO 
acres and Lost pond, with an area of loO acres, contain trout. 

The lumber business is the ])rincipal industry. In this 
connection the Bennington & Glastenbury railroad was built 
in 1872. A portion of the grade at the rate of 250 feet to the mile 
at that time was said to be the steepest railroad grade in the 
United States. 

LANDGROV E— The settlement was begun in 1769, 
and the town was organized in 1800. It is a mountain town, 
small in area and small in population, being situated on the upper 
waters of the West river. Many brooks contain trout. Owing 
to its location, its principal business is that of lumber. 

Hon. James L. Martin, United States district judge for 
Vermont, was born here. 

M A N C H E S T E R— The first settlement in Manchester, 
one of the oldest Vermont towns, was made in 1764, and the town 
was organized in 1766. The first Council of Safety met here July 
15, 1777, and here Ira Allen originated the plan of financing 
Vermont's i)art of the American Revolution by confiscating the 
estate of Tories. 

The Battenkill river flows through Manchester. Mount 
Equinox, 3,816 feet high, is the highest mountain in the southern 
part of the State. A road has been built to the summit and from 
this elevation a magnificent view may be obtained. To the 
southeast lie Greylock and Stratton mountains, to the east 
Ascutney and Monadnock; to the northeast Killington and Shrews- 
bury; in the far distance Kearsarge and Franconia of the White 
mountains; and to the southwest the Catskills. On clear days 




Equinox trout pond. Manchester totvii. Bciiiiiiigfoii 
Coinitv. 




42 J'crnioiit, The Land of Green Mountains 

Lakes Champlain and George may be seen. On the southern 
side of Mount E(|uinox, is a deep defile, called Skinner's hollow, 
down which a stream flows and disappears without any visible 
outlet. Nearby is the famous rocking stone weighing 85 tons, 
so nicely balanced that Professor Hitchcock has said, that if the 
trees did not obstruct it would be swayed by the wind. A won- 
derful cokl spring is found on a plateau near the top of the moun- 
tain 3,600 feet above sea level. A cabin has been erected on the 
summit of the mountain. The streams contain trout. 

Manchester is one of the famous summer resorts of New 
England. The village is situated on a plateau a thousand feet 
high and its broad main street shaded by great elms is very at- 
tractive. The village sidewalks are of white marble. For many 
years the Ecpiinox house has been a poj)ular summer resort. 
Here Mrs. Abraham Lincoln and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant came for 
rest and recreation, and here every summer come many well-known 
people. This is a favorite stopping place for automobile parties. 
An 18-hole golf course, open from June until November, has been 
laid out. This is said to be the finest summer golf course in the 
United States and the best players in the country attend the 
tournaments held in July, August and September. One of the 
attractions of the place is the Equinox trout pond, covering about 
12 acres. Robert T. Lincoln, only son of President Lincoln, and 
former president of the Pullman Palace Car Company, has built 
a residence here. 

Among the residents of this town who achieved distinc- 
tion were Richard Skinner, governor, and chief judge of the 
su])reme court, and A. L. Miner, congressman. 

P E R LT — The settlement was begun in 1773, and the town 
was organized in 180'-2. It was chartered as Bromley, the name 
being changed to Peru in 1803. The New Hampshire soldiers 
marching to the battle of Bennington cut a road from Peru to 
Manchester, and later this road was made into a turnpike. This 
was the last toll road in the State to be abolished, that feature 
having been eliminated by the Legislature of lOUZ. A granite 
monument, '-23 feet high, marks the site of Stark's camp ground. 

Buffum's ])ond in the northwestern part of the town is con- 
sidered a curiosity because of its elevation; it contains pout and 
trout. There are several trout streams. This region is remark- 
able for its mountain views. The highest peak is Bromley 
mountain, 3,460 feet high. Peru ^•illage is located at the foot of 
Bromley mountain. Bromley inn, located here, is a favorite 
tourist resort and is noted for its outside fireplace. 

There is a large area of virgin forest in Peru, and a considerable 
portion has been deeded to the State by M. J. Hapgood, as a park 
or forest reserve. 






rppcr picture. Bcuuiiujlo)! Battle nioiiidiiriit and Mt. 

Anthony — La-wrr picture. Hattcnkill River in 

.Irlinytu)! tai\.'n. Bennington County. 



44 I'cnnout, The Laud of Green Mountains 

1* O W \ A L — Pownal is located in the southwestern corner 
of the State. The first settlement is said to have been made in 
1774 by a Dutchman who held no land title. The first recognized 
settlement was begun in 176'2 and the town was organized in 1763. 
Many of the first settlers were from Rhode Island. During the 
Revolutionary period a considerable number of Tories lived here. 

The principal rivers are the Hoosac and Walloomsac. Barber 
pond is located near the central part, has an area of 100 acres. 
It contains pickerel, pout, and perch. There are trout in the 
streams. The Green mountains lie along the eastern border and 
fine views may be obtained from West mountain, Mason's hill 
and Gregor rocks. 

While James A. Garfield was a student at Williams college 
he taught a writing school in Pownal. James Fisk, Jr., a famous 
Wall Street operator of an earlier day, and a partner of Jay Gould, 
was born in Pownal, and here he erected a monument to a man who 
befriended him in his youth. Gen. Merritt Barber was also born 
here. 

READSBOR O — ^The first grant of this town was made 
in 1764 to Maj. Robert Rogers, a famous British scout in the 
French and Indian War, but as he was a Loyalist in the Revolution, 
his grant was held to be null and void. The settlement was begun 
before the Revolution. 

Readsboro is a mountainous town and is watered by the 
Deerfield river. From the summits of the highest elevations a 
considerable portion of western Massachusetts can be seen. 
Readsboro pond, containing about 100 acres, is on the Massachu- 
setts border in the western part. It contains pickerel and perch. 
Howe pond contains yellow perch and lake trout. Several streams 
contain brook trout. At a bridge over the Deerfield river at 
Readsboro hollow may be seen a boulder 25 feet long and 15 feet 
high, said to be about equal in size to the largest boulders in Great 
Britain. On the west branch of the Deerfield toward Heartwell- 
ville may be seen a succession of cataracts and a great number of 
boulders. 

There are hematite beds in the northwestern part. 

George M. Moulton, president of the Western Life Indem- 
nity Company, was born in this town. 

R U P E R T — This town was settled sparsely before the 
Revolution, but most of the inhabitants left during the war. The 
Tories who remained were in control for two or three years but 
the settlers returned soon after hostilities ceased. In 1785 the 
Vermont Legislature granted to Reuben Harmon the exclusive 
right to coin copper money for a period of three years. Vermont 
at this time was an independent republic, and was not admitted 
as a member of the Xnion until 1791. 




Dozvners Glcii, Mauclicstcr tozcti. Bt'iniiu(/toii County. 




46 J'cniiouf, The Land of Green Mountains 

Rupert is a mountainous town. Fine views may be ol)tained 
from Mount Anthony and from Haystack, Shattarack and Mas- 
ter's mountains in the southwest part. These mountains form a 
height of hind or water-shed. Indian river, a tributary of PaAvlet 
river, rises here and flows northward into Lake Champlain. A 
tributary of the Battenk.ll river rises here and flows south. The 
Taconic range of mountains crosses the eastern part. Rupert is 
located on the New York border. 

Israel Smith, governor, congressman, and one of the early 
political leaders of the State, was a resident of Rupert. 

S A N D G A T E — The first settlement was made here in 
1771. This is one of the New York border towns and is said to 
be mostly on a side hill. Bald mountain and Shattarack are in the 
northwestern part. Spruce and Equinox in the northeast, and 
Red mountain in the southeast. ()ther elevations are Swearing 
iiill, which received its name as a result of a (lis])ute between two 
hunters over game, and Minister's hill, so called because the grant 
for the first settled minister was made on this elevation. There 
is a remarkable passage between the east and Avest parts of the 
town through a mountain notch which affords scarcely room for a 
carriage road. This is a natural pass about 50 rods long, the walls 
of solid rock rising 30 feet high on each side. Green river, a 
tributary of the Battenkill, is formed in this town by the union of 
several small streams. 

Rear Admiral Franklin C. Prindle was born in Sandgate. 

S E A R S B U R G— Searsburg was settled about ISU and 
was organized in 1833. This is another of Vermont's manj^ 
mountain towns. Haystack mountain in the northeastern part 
is the highest peak. The Deerfield river crosses Searsburg. This 
river and its branches are famous as a fishing resort. 

S H A F T S B U R Y— Shaftsbury, one of the New York 
border towns, was settled in 17G3. The town was organized 
several years before the Revolution, l)ut there is some doubt as to 
the exact date. A considerable number of the settlers came from 
Rhode Island and a hamlet in town is known as Little Rhode 
Island. Shaftsbury was the scene of many stirring events during 
the land controversy with New York. 

A part of West moimtain lies in the northwestern corner. 
At Shaftsbury Center are evidences of an ancient sea beach. East 
of the center of the town are Trumbull and Paul mountains. 
There are several trout streams. 

Iron and marble dei)osits have been found in Shaftsbury. 
Silas Hawes, a blacksmith of this place, was the first man in the 
world to manufacture steel scjuares for the use of carpenters. 
This business grew into The Eagle Square Manufacturing Com- 
pany, which has been located here for many years. 




'iu4f^M0: 



A delightful drive, Manchester /otc;;, Beiuiiugton 
Cfliiutv. 




48 Vermont, The Laud of Green Mouniains 

David Millington, of Shaftsbury, was the inventor of wax 
grafting for fruit trees. Gov. Jonas Galusha, one of the early Ver- 
mont political leaders, and Congressman Gideon Olin resided here. 

S T A M F O R D — This town was first chartered as Stam- 
ford, later w^as chartered as New Stamford, and in 1783 the name 
was again changed to Stamford. The settlement of the town was 
begun before the Revolutionary War and it was organized in 1780. 

The Hoosac range of mountains lies on the east and the 
Taconic range on the west of Stamford, like natural fortifications, 
a fork in the mountains occurring just north of Stamford. A dome- 
shaped elevation east of the village is called i\^en's peak. Other 
important elevations in town are Cato, Sherman, Baker and 
Moose hills, tlie last named being so called because a moose was 
killed there. This town lies on the Massachusetts border and 
beautiful and extensive mountain views, covering considerable 
portions of Vermont and Massachusetts, may be obtained from 
tlie highest peaks of Stamford. The Deerfield river crosses the 
northeastern corner, and the north branch of the Hoosac river 
rises here. There are several ponds including Stamford, Sucker, 
Morse and Fish ponds. 

A great number of boulders were deposited in this region by 
the drift agency countless centuries ago. One of these great 
boulders, called Rock Raymond, 12 feet high, 20 feet long and 18 
feet wide, was used by an early settler as a buttress for his house. 
A huge boulder of Stamford granite, 15 feet high and 76 feet in 
circumference, has been carried just OA'er the State line into the 
Massachusetts town of Florida. There is fine trout fishing in the 
brooks and the ponds contain trout and bass. 

The Stamford Chemical works, established in 1865, manu- 
facture wood alcohol and acetate of lime. 

S U N D E R L A N D — The first permanent settlement in 
Sunderland was made in 1766 by a colony from Guilford, Conn., 
but the town was not organized until 30 years later, in 1796. 
Ethan and Ira Allen, the famous Vermont leaders, lived here for 
several years and a house built by Ethan Allen stood until 1845. 

The eastern and central portions are mountainous. There 
are many small mountain streams in this townshij), the largest 
stream being the Battenkill river. Bourn pond, Brand pond, 
and Beebe pond are in the eastern part. The ponds contain 
trout and the brooks furnish excellent trout fishing. 

W I N H A L L — The settlement of this town was begun 
about 1780 and it was organized in 1796. 

Winhall is surrounded on three sides by mountains. Winhall 
river, which rises in a pond on Stratton mountain, flows through 
the town. Stratton and Bowen ponds have an area of about 100 
acres each and contain trout. The streams also contain trout. 



Caledonia County 49 

W O O D F O R D— The settlenieut of Woodford was Ijegun 
about 1779 and the town was organized in 1793. 

This is distinctively a mountain town, the central portion 
consisting of a table land or a j)lateau several miles wide. From 
the summit of Mount Prospect a magnificent view may be ob- 
tained. The drive from Bennington to Woodford is a continual 
ascent beside beautiful mountain streams. These streams fur- 
nish a great amount of water power. Big pond, containing about 
100 acres, is the source of the principal branch of the Walloomsac 
river. There are several smaller ponds, including Little and 
Billings ponds, and a branch of the Deerfield river flows through 
the town. Pike, pickerel, bass, pout, and trout are caught in 
the ponds, and there is good trout fishing in several streams. 

Yellow ochre beds are found in the valley of Roaring brook. 
Formerly there were several forges in the town and during Presi- 
dent Jefferson's administration large contracts were obtained for 
making anchors for gunboats. 

There is a well-known summer resort here, called White 
Crow inn. Trenor W. Park, a well-known New York financier, 
who had a residence in Bennington, was born in this town. 



CALEDONIA COUNTY 



B A R N E T— The settlement of Barnet, on the Connecticut 
river, was begun in 1770, and the town was organized in 1783. 
Most of the early settlers were from Scotland, and true to their 
early training, for many years they made large quantities of 
oatmeal. 

Harvey's lake, about one and a half miles long by one mile 
wide, lies in the southwestern part of the town. It was named in 
honor of Col. Alexander Har\'ey, who was sent out by a company 
of farmers in Dundee, Scotland, antl who located a tract of about 
7,000 acres near this body of water. Stevens river is the outlet 
of Harvey's lake, and about 150 rods from the jjlace where it 
empties into the Connecticut it falls 80 feet in a distance of 20 
rods. These falls are very picturesque. Ross pond and Morse's 
pond, near the center of the town, contain about 50 and 20 acres, 
respectively. The Passumpsic river flows through the north- 
eastern part. A portion of Fifteen Mile falls, one of the great 
water ])owers of the Connecticut river, lies along the eastern 
boundary of this town. The old Hazen Military road passed 
through Barnet. Harvey's lake contains pickerel, lake trout, 
perch and pout. The streams contain trout, perch, and suckers. 



50 J'cniionf. The Land of Green Mountains 

The principal villaoe is Mclndoes Falls in the southern part. 
Benjamin F. SteA'ens, the eminent London bibliographer, 
was born here. 

B U R K E — The settlement of this town was begun in 1794 
and the town was organized in 1796. Most of the early settlers, 
a considerable number of whom were Revolutionary soldiers, 
came from Litchfield, Conn. 

The Passumpsic river flows through the town. The streams 
contain trout. Three high ridges run north and south. Burke 
mountain, which lies partly in Victory, is 3,500 feet high. Elmer 
A. Darling, who owns about 4,000 acres on the mountain, has 
built a road to the summit. Mr. Darling, who is a native of 
Burke, for many years was proprietor of the famous Fifth Avenue 
hotel of New York city. He returned to this town, where he 
has built a beautiful residence and established a fine stock farm. 

Brig. -Gen. Charles A. Woodruff, U. S. A., was born here. 

D A N V I L L E — The settlement oi this town was begun 
in 1784, and it was organized in 1787. Danville was named for 
Admiral D'Anville, being one of the towns named for a distin- 
guished Frenchman at the suggestion of Ethan Allen. 

This town is watered by branches of the Passumpsic ri^'er. 
A part of Joe's pond, which contains an area of 1,000 acres, lies 
in the southern i:)art, but the greater portion of the pond is in 
Cabot. It contains bass, pickerel, perch, and pout. The streams 
contain trout. The town rises gradually in elevation from the 
eastern to the western ])art. The village of Danville, 2,500 feet 
above the sea level, offers many attractions by reason of its exten- 
sive views and pure air. This is considered to be one of the best 
resorts in the country for hay fever sufferers. 

Danville is famous as the birthplace of Thaddeus Stevens, 
who was one of the great leaders in Congress during what was 
known as the Reconstruction period immediately after the Civil 
War. Benjamin F. Deming, a Vermont congressman and 
William A. Palmer, governor and Lnited States senator, were 
natives of Danville. Senator Palmer, who voted for the Missouri 
Compromise, is said to have been the only Vermont senator who 
ever voted for a slavery bill. 

G R O T O N — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1783 or 1784. Ethan Allen was one of the grantees. It was prob- 
ably named for Groton, Mass., from which i^lace some of the 
early settlers came. 

Whitcher's mountain is in the southeastern part. Wells 
river flows through Groton in a southeasterly direction. The 
chief scenic attraction is Groton pond, surrounded by lofty hills 
and about three miles long by three-quarters of a mile wide. There 





^^"^^--^^^ -^ 





Cppcr picfiur. "The Old Homestead," St. Johiisbiiry. 

Caledonia County — Lower picture, Roadway 

.Year St. Johnsbnry, Caledonia County. 



52 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

are many camps about the ])ond. Kettle pontl in the extreme 
northeastern corner of the town, derived its name from the fact 
that a hunter lost his camp kettle in this vicinity. Pigeon 
pond is in the western part of the town and Lund's and Levi ponds 
are in the eastern part. These ponds are visited by many fisher- 
men, bass, pike, pickerel, pout, and ]ierch being caught. The 
streams contain trout. 

H A R D W I C K— This town was first settled in 1788 and 
was organized in 1795. Some of the early settlers came from 
Hardwick, Mass., and gave the name of their native town to their 
new home. 

Lamoille river crosses the town from east to west. The 
streams are well stocked with trout. 

Hardwick is the headquarters of the Woodbury Granite Com- 
pany and has become one of the important granite centers of the 
United States. Its growth has been as rapid and almost as 
remarkable as that of Barre. It is connected with the Woodbury 
quarries on Robeson mountain by a railroad nine miles long. 
Many great building contracts have been worked out here. The 
contract for the great Pennsylvania State capitol was taken when 
the Woodbury Granite Com])any had only two sheds and a partly 
o])en quarry, but the contract was completed in 2^2 months, two 
months ahead of the time specified. 

Dorman B. Eaton, one of the pioneers in establishing civil 
service reform in this country, was born in Hardwick. 

K I R B Y — This town was settled as early as 1792, and it 
was organized in 1807, It was chartered to Roswell Hopkins, 
as Hopkinsville, but in 1808 the name was changed to Kirby. 

A mountain range extends through the eastern part, and 
Moose river flows through the southern jiart. Kirby pond, with 
an area of 75 acres, contains trout and ])out. The streams 
contain trout. 

There are extensive granite deposits in the eastern part, 
which are worked. 

Congressman W. W. Grout maintained a home here. 

L Y N D O N — The settlement was begun in 1788, and the 
town was organized July 4th, 1791. In the summer of 1780 a 
committee of three, representing about fifty enterprising citizens 
of Providence, R. I., came to Vermont to select from ungranted 
lands, territory for a township. Following up the Connecticut 
and Passumpsic rivers, they climbed a conical hill southeast of 
what is now known as the "corner village" and from tiiat eminence 
selected the location of Lyndon. The town was named Lyndon 
in honor of the oldest son of Hon. Jonathan Arnold, the first 
grantee. A large number of the early settlers came from Rhode 
Island. 




One of iiuiiiy delightful drives in Sf. Johusbury, 
Caledonia County. 




54 Vermont, TJic Land of Green Mountains 

Great falls and Little falls are on the Passumpsic river here. 
In the Great falls the water descends about sixty-five feet in a 
distance of thirty rods. Pretty pond is situated in the western 
l)art of the town. Several streams contain trout. 

Theodore N. Vail, head of the American Telegraph & Tele- 
phone Company and of the Western Union Telegraph Company, one 
of the great captains of industry of the United States, has es- 
tablished a beautiful home near Lyndonville. Here he operates 
a large farm on scientific principles, and here he has established 
the Lyndon Agricultural school, which is doing excellent work 
in teaching Vermont boys the principles of modern scientific 
agriculture. 

At Lyndonville, the largest village in town, is located the 
railroad shops and division headquarters of the Boston & Maine 
railroad. 

This town has furnished three Vermont congressmen, Thomas 
Bartlett, Jr., William Cahoon, and Isaac Fletcher. A monument 
has been erected at Lyndon Center to Revolutionary soldiers and 
officers. 

NEWARK — The settlement of Newark was begun in 
1797, and it was organized in 1809. 

This town is noted for a great number of springs. The 
Passumpsic river rises here. Clark pond is in the western part 
and Center pond, as its name indicates, is in the central part. 
Pout and bass are caught. Many trout streams are well stocked. 
The surface is hilly and many fine mountain views may be obtained. 

There are extensive deposits of pink granite in Newark, 

P E A C H A M — The settlement of Peacham was begun 
in 1775, and the town was organized in 1784. The Hazen Mili- 
tary road, which was intended to reach from the Connecticut 
river to Canada, passed through this town. During the Revo- 
lutionary War a block-house was erected here as one of the stations 
along the military road. In 1810 the town of Deweysburg was 
divided between Danville and Peacham. 

Peacham is situated on a high ridge forming a watershed 
between the Connecticut river and Lake Cham])lain. It has an 
altitude of 2,000 feet and over. Remarkably fine and extensive 
views may be obtained from the hills and several summer cottages 
have been erected here. Both the Green and the White moun- 
tains may be seen from these hills. Among the highest elevations 
are Devil hill and Cow hill. Onion River pond is one of the 
sources of the Winooski river. At one time the Winooski river 
was called the Onion. Little Hosmer ])ond is supposed to have 
derived its name from Aaron Hosmer, a hunter. Other ponds 
in town are, Ewell's, Foster, Martin's and Owl's Head ponds, and 



Caledonia County 55 

they contain trout, pickerel, pout, and perch. Several brooks 
contain trout. 

Congressmen William Chamberlain and John Mattocks 
were residents of Peacham. Oliver Johnson, a prominent 
antislavery leader and editor, was born here. Thaddeus Stevens 
fitted for college at Peacham Grammar school and studied law 
in the office of John Mattocks. In his will, Stevens provided 
that his mother's grave in Peacham, should be carefully tended 
and its corners planted with roses, "or other cheerful flowers." 

R Y E G A T E — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1773 and it was organized in 1776. It is located on the Connecti- 
cut river. On Feb. 17, 1773, 140 persons, most of them farmers in 
the shires of Renfrew and Lanark, Scotland, near the citj^ of 
Glasgow, formed a Scots-American Company of Farmers, to 
purchase a tract of land in America for a settlement. The capital 
stock was one thousand pounds. 

David Allen and James Whitelaw were sent to this country 
as agents. On the day they landed at Philadelphia, they met 
the Rev. John Witherspoon, president of Princeton college, and 
afterward a signer of the Declaration of Independence, who was 
part owner of the township of Ryegate, and who offered to sell. 
After traveling a distance of '-2,700 miles, and examining many 
portions of the American colonies, these agents decided to i)iirchase 
the southern half of Ryegate. A number of families and several 
young men came over in 1774. In 1775 sixty persons left Scotland 
for Ryegate, but were detained in Boston by the outbreak of the 
Revolution, and either returned to Scotland or went to Nova 
Scotia. A few of these persons came back after the war had ended 
and for several years following the declaration of peace, a few 
Scotch families arrived annually. James Whitelaw became a 
prominent man in Vermont, and was made surveyor general. 
Caledonia county was named in honor of these Scotch emigrants. 
At the present time many Scotch names are to be found in Ryegate 
and other towns in this vicinity. One of the early settlers was 
James Witherspoon, son of President Witherspoon of Princeton, 
who came before the outbreak of the Revolution. He was one of 
General Washington's aides and was killed in the battle of German- 
town. 

Blue mountain, about 2,200 feet high, contains extensive 
granite deposits and many mill stones have been quarried here. 
Wells river flows through the southern part of the town. Symes 
pond, ^nth an area of 350 acres, and Coburn pond are located in 
the northern part and Ticklenaked pond, with an area of 225 acres, 
is in the southern part. These ponds contain bass, pickerel and 
perch. The streams contain trout, dace and bass. 

Chief Justice Albert R, Savage, of the Maine supreme court, 
was born in Ryegate. 



56 Vermont, The Laud of Green Mountains 

SHEFFIEL D — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1794, and it was organized in 1796. General Hull, who was 
prominent in the War of 1812, and who became famous or infamous, 
according to the point of view, by the surrender of Detroit to the 
British, once owned a large portion of Sheffield, but he exchanged 
the property for lands in Newbury port, INIass. 

A mountain range passes through the northern and western 
portions of Sheffield, separating the valleys of the Passumpsic 
and Barton rivers and forming part of the watershed between the 
St. Lawrence and the Connecticut. There are several small 
ponds in the town, including Bruce pond in the western part and 
Long pond. Round pond and Duck pond in the northern part. 
The ponds contain pout, pickerel and trout. Several streams 
afford good trout fishing. 

S T A N N A R D — The area of Stannard is about one-third 
that of the average Vermont town. For many years it was 
known as Goshen gore, but in 1867, it was organized into a town 
by the Vermont Legislature, and was named in honor of Gen. 
George J. Stannard, a distinguished Vermont officer during the 
Civil War, whose famous flank attack at the battle of Gettysburg 
had much to do with turning the tide in favor of the Union cause. 
The settlement was begun as early as 180''2. 

One of the sources of the Lamoille river is in Stannard. 
Stannard pond, with an area of 100 acres, is situated in the eastern 
part and contains pout. The brooks contain trout. 

ST. JOHNSBURY— The settlement of this town 
was begun in 1786, and it was organized in 1790. The town 
originally was granted by the British government, with parts of 
what are now known as Concord and Waterford, as Dunmore, in 
honor of the Earl of Dunmore. The name St. Johnsbury was 
suggested by Ethan Allen in honor of his friend, St. John De 
Crevecour, a French consul at New York. The first of the 
grantees and one of the first settlers was Jonathan Arnold, who 
for several years was a member of Congress from Rhode Island. 
He became the first town c-lerk and a prominent man in this 
region. 

The Passumpsic river rinis through the center of the town 
from north to south. In the southern part it is joined by the 
Moose river from the east and by Sleeper's river from the north- 
west . 

The village of St. Johnsbury, one of the most populous in- 
dustrial centers of Vermont, is located at the junction of Moose 
and Passumpsic rivers. This town is famous the world over as 
the home of the Fairbanks Scale works, which were established in 
1830. Platform scales were invented by Thaddeus Fairbanks, 
who was a member of a company formed here for the cleaning and 






l'fh'>' pic'tiirc. Peaceful river scene, Barnet toivn. Cale- 
donia County — Lower picture, A zvealth of blos- 
soms in St. Johnsbury. Caledonia Countv. 



58 VcDiiont, The Laud of Green Mountains 

marketing of hemp, and finding the existing methods of weighing 
that product inadequate, he invented these scales. This in- 
dustry has grown to great proportions. The plant includes forty 
buildings with about 15 acres of floor space. For his useful 
invention, Thaddeus Fairbanks was knighted by the Emperor of 
Austria. It is said that these scales can weigh a ship with its 
cargo or the dust from the sharpening of a lead pencil. The 
products of this establishment are shipi)ed to all parts of the 
world. 

Erastus Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury, was governor of Vermont 
at the outbreak of the Civil War, and the State Legislature placed at 
his disposal the sum of $600,000, for raising and ecjuipping troops. 
Later, his son, Horace Fairbanks, was governor of Vermont. He 
presented to the town the public library, lecture hall and art 
gallery known as the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. Another member 
of the family, Col. Franklin Fairbanks, presented the Museum 
of Natural Sciences to St. Johnsbury. Luther Jewett, of St. 
Johnsbury, was a member of Congress, and Charles A. Willard, 
United States judge of Minnesota, was born here. Two dis- 
tinguished residents of St. Johnsbury are Wendell P. Stafford, 
now judge of the supreme court of the District of Columbia, 
and well known as an orator and poet, and Henry Clay Ide, now 
minister to Spain, who was a representative of the great powers 
at Samoa and later governor-general of the Philippine islands. 

St. Johnsbury Academy is a well known educational institu- 
tion. A L^nited States fish hatchery is located here. The Old 
Pine Tree Golf Club is an attractive feature of the summer life 
of the town. 

S U T T O N— The settlement of Sutton was begun in 1790, 
and the town w^as organized in 1794. The name given in the 
charter was Billymead, but it was changed in 1812 to Sutton. 

Three branches of the Passumpsic rise in the northwestern part 
of the town, dividing it into four ridges or elevations. This town 
is on the watershed between the Connecticut and St. Lawrence 
river systems. Mount Pisgah, which is one of the mountain 
sentinels guarding Lake Willoughby, lies on the border between 
Sutton and Westmore. 

There are a large number of ponds in Sutton. Fish pond 
and Duck pond lie well up on the mountain. The Lime ponds are 
so called because their bottoms are covered with white marl and 
from this marl the early settlers of this and surrounding towns, 
made putty for their windows, lime with which to lay their chim- 
neys, and plaster for their walls. The list of ponds in town in- 
cludes Marl pond. Duck pond, Blake pond, Little Fish pond, 
Big Fish pond. Lime pond and Rocky pond. The ponds contain 
bass, trout and pout, and there are trout in several brooks. 






upper picture. Academy Hill, Peacham toz<.'n, Caledonia 

County — Lower picture, A woodland lake, 

Peaehatii tozvn, Caledonia County. 



60 Vcnnoiif. The Land of Green Mountains 

There are several mineral springs in the town containing sulphur 
and iron. 

Forty years ago this was the banner maple sugar producing 
town in the State. 

E. O. and E. E. Silver, of the school book publishing house of 
Silver, Burdett & Company, and Henry O. Houghton, of the well- 
known publishing firm of Houghton and Mifflin, were born here. 

W A L D E N — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1789, and it was organized in 1794. Most of the early settlers 
were emigrants from New Hampshire. The Hazen Military 
road passed through Walden and General Hazen built a block- 
house here. The name of the officer in command of this post was 
Walden, and his name evidently was given to the town. 

This town is on the watershed between the Lamoille and 
Connecticut river systems. Some of the highest cultivated land 
in the State is said to be in Walden. The Lamoille river touches 
the northwest corner and one branch of the Winooski rises in the 
town. Lyford pond is situated in the southern part and Cole's 
pond in the northern part. These ponds contain pickerel, pout 
and suckers. Joe's pond, most of which is in Cabot and Danville, 
touches the southern portion. The name was derived from a 
friendly St. Francis Lidian called Joe, who with his squaw, Molly, 
lived in the vicinity of this pond. They were held in great respect 
by the people because they gave warning of an Indian attack. 
In his old age Joe received a pension from the Vermont Legislature. 

Walden was the home of the late Gov. Charles J. Bell, who 
for many years was one of the best -known members of the National 
Grange in the country. 

WATERFOR D— The settlement of this town was begun 
as early as 1783, and it was organized in 1793. The town was 
chartered as Littleton, the name being changed to Waterford in 
1797. This town lies in the Connecticut river valley and part 
of the Fifteen Mile falls lies along its eastern boundary. A 
charter has been secured for a great power development here and 
it is expected that the Chase and Harriman interests, which have 
developed the power at Vernon and are developing the power on 
the headwaters of the Deerfield river, in southern Vermont, will 
develop at least 60,000 horse power here. Stiles' pond, with an 
area of 150 acres, contains trout and pickerel. The brooks 
furnish trout fishing. 

Jonathan Ross, chief judge of the Vermont supreme court, 
and United States senator by the appointment of the governor, 
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Morrill, was 
born in this town. 

W H E E L O C K — -The first settlement of this town was 
made in 1790, and it was organized in 1792. It was chartered in 



Chittenden County 61 

1785 to Dartmouth college and Moor's Indian Charity school 
and was named in honor of John Wheelock, president of Dart- 
mouth. The land is still owned by Dartmouth college, and the 
occupants lease it from that institution, paying a rental therefor. 

A chain of hills extends from north to south across the western 
part. Wheelock mountain is the highest elevation. Wheelock 
pond is in the southwestern part of the town and Chandler pond 
in the southeastern part. They contain pickerel. Trout are 
abundant in all the brooks. Two sul])hur springs have been dis- 
covered. 

Rev. Ozora S. Davis, president of the Chicago Theological 
seminary, was born here. 



CHITTENDEN COUNTY 



B O L T O N — The settlement of Bolton was begun soon 
after the close of the Revolution. It was organized in 179-i. 

Bolton lies in the heart of the Green mountains, is crossed 
by the Winooski river, and is situated midway between Mont- 
pelier and Burlington. The mountains are piled up on either 
side of the Winooski valley, and the surface of the town is broken 
by deep ravines and gorges, often running at right angles to each 
other, through which mountain brooks flow. Duck brook, which 
pours down a mountain gorge, is so called because many wild 
ducks formerly made their nests along its banks. Camel's Hump 
is situated between this town and Duxbury. Bone mountain, 
in the eastern part, derives its name from the fact that one of the 
first settlers, a native of France, named Bone, was killed by falling 
from a precipice of this mountain -lOO feet high. Stimson's 
mountain is in the central part, Robin's mountain in the eastern 
part, and Blueberry hill in the extreme eastern part. Bolton 
mountain is also situated in this town. Wahlen pond, having 
an area of 100 acres and Howrigan pond, contain bass, pickerel, 
perch and pout. Several small streams contain trout. 

The Legislature of 191''2 voted a sum of money for the erection 
of a footbridge at Bolton crossing the Winooski river, which will 
form a part of the Green Mountain trail. It is said that the winds 
which draw through the mountain passes here, make Bolton 
several degrees cooler in summer than the neighboring towns. 

BURLINGTON— The first settlement was made in 
Burlington in the year 1773, but the town was abandoned after 
the American retreat from Canada early in the Revolutionary 
War. No further settlements were made until after peace was 
declared. The town was organized in 1797, and was incorporated 



62 J'cnnont, The Land of Green Mountains 

as a city in 1865. It is probable that the name of the town was 
derived from the Burling family, of Westchester county, New York, 
who were numbered among the grantees of Colchester and several 
other Vermont tow^ns. Ethan and Ira Allen were extensive land 
owners here. Ethan Allen made Burlington his home during 
the last years of his life, and died on a farm a little north of the 
city, near the mouth of the Winooski river. He was buried in 
Green Mount cemetery, and the State of Vermont erected over 
his grave a lofty monument. This consists of a shaft 4'-2 feet high 
on a granite pedestal, surmounted by a marble statue 8 feet and 
4 inches in height, the work of Peter Stevenson, a Boston sculptor. 
Burlington was an important military post during the War 
of 1812. Commodore Macdonough came here at the outbreak 
of the war, for the purpose of organizing a fleet on Lake Cham- 
plain, and to this town he brought his bride from Connecticut. 
Gen. Wade Ham])ton was in command of the land forces and 
a later commander was General Macomb. During part of the 
war the college buildings were used for barracks. Fortifications 
were erected on a bluff overlooking the lake and these works were 
attacked by a British ship, but no serious harm w^as done. This 
camp ground and fortification has been transformed into Battery 
Park, containing about nine acres. Green Mountain Chapter, 
Daughters of the American Revolution, has erected a bronze 
tablet on a boulder, setting forth the liistoric features of the place. 
Nortli of this city is Ethan Allen park, a part of the old Ethan 
x^llen farm, and in the highest portion of this park, on Indian Rock, 
used as a lookout by the Indians before the white men came, a 
massive stone tower called Ethan Allen tower has been erected 
by the Sons of the American Revolution. A bronze tablet has 
also been erected in the park by the Daughters of the American 
Revolution. 

The University of Vermont, which is located here, was founded 
by Ira Allen. Its charter was granted in 1791 and its doors w^ere 
opened in 1800. A medical department was organized in 18*21, and 
the Agricultural college was established immediately following 
the passage by Congress of the Land Grant act, of which Senator 
Morrill of Vermont was the father. The college buildings are 
located in the highest part of the city. Here may be obtained a 
view of Lake Champlain in its widest part and beyond the lake, 
to the west, the Adirondack mountains. To the east may be 
seen the peaks of the Green Mountain range. Travelers have 
said that the view from the cupola of tlie main college building was 
one of the finest in the United States. Billings library is one of 
the finest specimens of the work of H. H. Richardson, the famous 
architect. The east wing contains the library of the late George 
P. Marsh. In the college museum may be seen one of the largest 
archeological collections known of prehistoric Vermont and the 







Camel's Hump from near Hiiiitiiigloii. Cliiffeiiden 

County- Xote the similarity of fieture 

and the State coat-of-arms. 



64 J'cniioiit, The Land of Green Mountains 

valuable oriental collection of H. Le (irand Cannon. Williams 
Science hall, the </\it of the late E. H. Williams of Philadelphia, 
one of the proprietors of the J5aldwin Locomotive works, con- 
tains the Torrey and Frost herbariums of Vermont specimens and 
the remarkably complete herbariiun of 50, 000 sjjecimens collected 
by the late C. G. Pringle, representing- the known flora of North 
America. The Converse dormitory, a beautiful marble structure, 
was erected by the late John H. Converse, a business partner of 
the donor of the Williams Science hall, and a native of Burlington. 
Morrill hall was erected by the State of Vermont for the use of 
the Agricultural college and was named in honor of Senator 
Morrill. A statue of General Lafayette adorns the College park 
and commemorates the fact that the distinguished Frenchman 
laid the corner stone of the old south college building. Grass 
Mount, the girls' college dormitory, is the old Governor Van Ness 
mansion. The Vermont Agricultural Experiment station and 
a station of th^ LTnited States Weather Bureau are located here. 

Burlington is the largest city in the State, and has long l)een 
an important center of Irade and commerce. The first steam- 
boat Vermont, built in 1808, only eight months after Robert 
Fulton's Clermont began to navigate the Hudson, was the world's 
second successful steamboat, and was launched at Burlington. 
For many years this city has been the headquarters of the Cham- 
plain Transportation Company. Biu'lington has long been an 
important lumber market and in 1875 only two cities in the 
country surpassed it in the amount of its lumber business. This 
city has the benefit of both rail and water transi)ortation. Freight 
may be brought by water from New York by the Hudson river, 
Champlain canal and Lake Champlain, and from ports on the 
Great Lakes and Canada by way of the St. Lawrence river, the 
Richelieu river, the Chambly Canal, and Lake Champlain. The 
Champlain canal has recently been deepened and it is hoped in 
the not distant future, a canal may be constructed in the vicinity 
of St. Johns, Que., to Montreal, thus making Lake Champlain part 
of a deep water route from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic ocean. 

Burlington is a city of beautifid homes, of broad, shaded, 
well kept streets, and its location is ideal. William Dean Howells, 
the famous author, once said: "Burlington is the most beautiful 
city in the world." It is situated on a side hill, sloping down to 
Lake Champlain, which has as a background the splendid mountain 
wall of the Adirondacks. This city is a natural center for tourists 
who wish to visit Ausable Chasm and the Adirondacks, Canadian 
points. Lakes Champlain and George, and points in the Green and 
White mountains. There are many points of interest in the 
immediate vicinity of Burlington. South of the city are Queen 
City park, a popular resort, and Red Rocks, on the shore of Lake 
Champlain, containing many beautiful drives, the property of 



Chittenden County 65 

Edward Hatcli, a prominent New York merchant. It is only a 
few miles south to Shelburne Farms, the great estate of Col. W. 
Seward Webb. North of the city are Rock point, a high and 
rocky point projecting into Lake Champlain and Starr Farm beach, 
where many summer camps are located. Cedar beach and 
Thompson's point on the Charlotte shore, contain many cottages 
patronized by Burlington people and their guests. 

A little way out of Burlington harbor, rising from the waters 
of the lake, is Rock Dunder, 36 feet high, with a circumference 
at its base of 310 feet. On Juniper island, in Lake Champlain, 
a little way out from Burlington, was erected the first light liouse 
on Lake Champlain. This island is the property of the United 
States government. Farther out in the lake are the Four Brothers 
called by the French the Islands of the Four Winds, where many 
sea gulls make their nests. Henry Holt, the well-known New York 
publisher, has a beautiful summer home on the heights overlooking 
the city. The Lake Champlain Yacht Club and Waubanakee 
Golf Club add to the attractions for summer visitors. 

One of the princi})al events in the celebration of the tercen- 
tenary of the discovery of Lake Champlain, observed in 1909, 
was held in Burlington. President Taft, the governors of Ver- 
mont and New York, the British and French ambassadors, and 
many other distinguished guests, were in attendance. In Lake 
View cemetery may be seen the statue of Gen. George J. Stannard. 

A list of distinguished citizens who have lived in Burlmgton, 
would include Cornelius P. Van Ness, chief judge of the supreme 
court, governor, and one of the commissioners under the 
treaty of Ghent to settle the boundary between the United 
States and the British possessions; George P. Marsh, minister 
to Italy, whose residence at the head of one of the principal streets 
was a landmark for many years ; George F. Edmunds, for nearly 
twenty-five years a leader of the United States Senate; Edward J. 
Phelps, minister to Great Britain; Gen. Oliver O. Howard, who 
made his home here after retiring from active service in the United 
States Army; David A. Smalley, at one time chairman of the Demo- 
cratic national committee; and Congressman David J. Foster, 
chairman of the House committee on foreign relations. Among 
the well-known residents of the city at the present time are Ex- 
Gov. U. A. Woodbury; S. G. W. Benjamin, author and former 
minister to Persia; Brig. -Gen. Stephen P. Jocelvn, U. S. A., and 
Brig.-Gen. Crosby P. Miller, U. S. A. 

CHARLOTTE— The first attempt at settlement was 
made in 1776, but no permanent settlement was made until 1784. 
The town was organized in 1787. Some of the first settlers were 
Quakers. 

The Laplotte river flows through the northeastern corner of 
the town and Lewis creek through the southeastern part. Scott 



66 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

pond is in the southern part. Mutton hill is in the northern part 
of the town, Pease mountain in the center antl Mount Philo in 
the southern part. The last named mountain has become a 
popular summer resort. A 50-foot tower has been erected on the 
summit and a magnificent view of Lake Champlain, the Green 
mountains, and the iVdirondacks is afforded. More than a score 
of mountains over 4,000 feet high are visible from this point. 
The Indians are said to have used the summit of this mountain 
as a signal station. Cedar beach and Thompson's point are 
popular resorts on the Charlotte sliore of Lake Champlain. 
Thompson's point was the summer home of the late Justice David 
J. Brewer of the United States supreme court. 

Dean's cave, near the Ferrisburg line, is on the side of a 
mountain, the entrance being in a fissure of rocks in the face of 
a precipice eighty feet high. The cavern is thirty feet below ground, 
and is six feet wide, twenty feet long, and fifteen feet high. An- 
other room of about the same size opens out of it. On the New 
York shore of Lake Champlain opposite Charlotte is Split 
rock, a natural curiosity 

The Holmes apple orchard, one of the best known in the 
eastern ])art of the LTnited States, is located in Charlotte. Cyrus 
G. Pringle, a famous botanist, and John A. Kasson, for many years 
a prominent member of Congress, and a diplomat, were born here. 

COLCHESTER— The settlement of this town was 
begun in 1772, but was abandoned during the last part of the 
Revolution. It was organized in 1793. Evidences of an Indian 
village have been found on Colchester point. The town was 
settled by three famous Vermont pioneers, Ira and Ethan Allen 
and Remember Baker, members of the Onion River Land Com- 
pany, which cut a road from Castleton to this place. During the 
Revolution a block house called Fort Frederick was erected near 
the north end of the present highway bridge, between Burlington 
and the village of Winooski. The Winooski river was a natural 
highway for Indian war parties from Lake Champlain to the 
Connecticut river. Ira Allen was the first town clerk and the 
early records are in his handwriting. After the Revolution, Ira 
Allen erected mills, a forge, and an anchor shop at Winooski falls. 

The Lamoille river forms part of the boundary between 
Colchester and Milton and the Winooski river forms part of the 
boundary between Colchester and Burlington. A little way above 
the village of Winooski the ri^'er of the same name has cut a 
gorge through the solid rock ninety feet deep and seventy feet wide. 
Colchester pond in the eastern part of the town is three-quarters 
of a mile long by one-half of a mile wide. Mallett's bay, one of 
the largest on Lake Champlain, is a popular summer resort. 
Camps Barnard, ]Mc Vicar, Winnisquam, and Iroquois are located 
in this town, all being in the nature of summer schools. Bass, 




A drive ncai Mallcffs Bay. Colchrsfcr tcnvii. Cliiffcndcii 
Cotiiitx. 




68 Vcniwiit, Tlic Land of Green Moinifai)is 

pickerel, perch and pout are caught in the ponds. There is good 
fishing in Mallett's bay. 

Fort Ethan Allen, a United States cavalry post, the reser- 
vation containing 767 acres, is located near the Essex Hne, most 
of it being in Colchester. Winooski, a manufacturing village, 
situated in the southern part, just across the river from Burling- 
ton, contains large cotton and woolen mills and the large plant of 
the Porter Screen Company, which manufactures screen doors 
and windows. 

Heman Allen, congressman and United States minister to 
Chili, was a resident of Colchester. He was sometimes called 
"Chili" Allen to distinguish him from Heman Allen of Milton, who 
also served in Congress. 

ESSE X— The first settlement was made in 1783 and the 
town was organized in 1786. It is supposed to have been named 
for the Earl of Essex. Indian implements, flints and fragments 
of pottery \inxe been found here. 

Brown's river flows through the eastern part and the Win- 
ooski river along the southern border. Bass, perch, pickerel, and 
trout are caught in the streams. Near the village of Essex 
Junction is one of the best water powers in this part of the State. 
The great freshet in 1830 cut a new channel for Brown's river. 
The northern and eastern portions of the town are hilly. 

Essex Junction is an important railroad center. This village 
is connected with Winooski and Burlington by an electric railroad. 
A portion of tlie military reser\'ation of Fort Ethan Allen lies in 
the western part of the town. 

During the period when Henry J. Raymond, the founder of 
the New York Times, was a student in the University of Vermont, 
he taught school in Essex. 

HINESBUR G— This town was settled just before the 
outbreak of the Revolutionary War, and like other towns of 
northern Vermont was abandoned during tlie conflict. The town 
was organized in 1787. It was named for David Hine, one of the 
grantees. A considerable number of the early settlers came from 
Rhode Island, and one hamlet in town is called Rhode Island 
Corners. The eastern part of the town is higher than the western, 
as the surface rises from the Champlain valley toward the Green 
moimtains. Excellent views of the Champlain valley and the 
Adirondacks are afforded from the higher elevations. The 
Laplotte river rises in the southeastern part. In this part of 
the town a mountain ridge is cleft from base to summit by a chasm 
from one-half to one-fourth of a mile wide, through which a branch 
of Lewis creek flows from Huntington. Hinesburg pond or Lake 
Iroquois, is three-qiuirters of a mile long by one-half a mile wide, 
and lies j)artly in the town of Williston. It is a beautiful body of 



Chitfciidcii County 69 

water and many camps are located on its shores. Pond brook, 
the outlet of this lake, furnishes excellent water power. Eels, 
pickerel and suckers are caught. 

Gov. Asahel Peck was a resident of Hinesburg. 

HUNTINGTO N— The settlement of Huntington was 
begun in 1786, and it was organized in 1790. This is a typical 
mountain town containing many lofty elevations and many 
mountain streams. A portion of Camel's Hump lies in Hunting- 
ton. North mountain is situated in the northern part. The 
principal stream is the Huntington river, and the drives along 
its banks, beautifully shaded by forests, are exceedingly attractive. 
Big pond has an area of 100 acres. Trout are caught in the streams. 
Gen. P2merson H. Liscum, a gallant American soldier, who was 
killed l)efore the walls of Tientsin during the Boxer troubles in 
China, was born here. 

J E R I C H O — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1774. A block house was built and occupied as an outpost during 
the early part of the Revolution, being abandoned at the approach 
of Burgoyne. One family remaining here through the war was 
made prisoners by the Indians in 1780. The town was organized 
in 1786. 

The Winooski river flows through the southwestern part. 
Brown's river through the northern part, and Little river rises 
in the eastern part. Trout are caught in the smaller streams. 

M I L T O N— The first settlement of Milton, one of the 
Lake Champlain towns, was begun in 1782, and the town was 
organized in 1788. It is supposed to have been named for Milton, 
the famous English poet. 

The surface of the town rises gradually from the western to 
the eastern part. The two highest elevations in town are Cobble 
hill and Snake hill or Arrowhead mountain, and very fine views 
may be obtained from their summits. Long pond and Round 
pond are situated in the northwestern part. The Lamoille river 
flows through the town and just below Milton village are the 
Great falls, one of the finest water powers in the State. Here 
the river falls about 150 feet in a distance of .50 rods. A large 
pulp mill utilizes this power. The fish caught include sturgeon, 
bass, perch, pout, pike, and j^ickerel. 

The early settlers sent much timber to the Montreal market, 
floating it down the Lamoille river to Lake Champlain. Evi- 
dences of an ancient Indian encampment have been found at the 
mouth of the Lamoille. There are several camps along the lake 
shore, including Camp Martin, Camp Watson and Camp Rich. 
The Sandbar bridge, about two miles long, built on a natural 
sandbar deposited by the waters of the Lamoille, connects this 
town with South Hero, the southern town of (irand Isle county. 



70 J'cniioiit, The Laud of Green Motiutaiiis 

Congressman Henian Allen was a resident of this town. Paul 
Smith of Adirondack hotel fame, and Don J. Whittemore, chief 
engineer of the Chicago & Milwaukee railroad, were born here. 

R I C H M O N D — Richmond was formed from portions 
of four towns. The first settlement was made in 1775, but the 
inhabitants left during the Revolution and the town was not 
organized until 1795. 

This is a town of fine scenery and beautiful drives. Rich- 
mond pond is situated in the northeastern part and Gilette pond 
is in the southeastern part. The Winooski river is the principal 
stream and the Huntington river empties into it at the village of 
Jones ville. The brooks contain trout and bass, pickerel, perch 
and shiners are caught in the Winooski river. An interesting 
feature is the "Old Round church," a sixteen-sided edifice built 
in 1813. The fossil remains of an elephant's tusk were found in 
this town many years ago. 

Vermont's famous statesman, George F. Edmunds, was born 
in Richmond. 

ST. G E O R G E — This is one of the smallest of Vermont 
towns and is said to have been named for King George the Third 
of England. The settlement was begun in 1784 and the town was 
organized in 1813. 

SHELBURN E— This is the first town south of Bur- 
lington, on Lake Chamj)lain, and it is said to have been named for 
the Earl of Shelburne. The first two settlers, who located here in 
1768, were Germans engaged in the lumber trade with Canada. 
They are said to have been murdered for their money by a band 
of ^Montreal soldiers. The town was organized in 1787. 

There were enough settlers here at the outbreak of the 
Revolutionary War to make it possible to recruit a band of fifteen 
Minute Men. One of the earliest settlers was Moses Pierson. 
He was obliged to abandon his home in the year 1777, the year 
of Burgoyne's invasion. Early in 1778 he returned with his 
family and a few men to thresh some wheat. While they were 
here an attack was made by a party of Indians and Tories, prob- 
ably from Canada. The house had been strongly barricaded and 
a stout resistance was made. Two men of the garrison were killed 
and others were wounded. Attempts to burn the house were 
unsuccessful, the blaze being extinguished on one occasion by the 
use of a barrel of home-brewed beer. An infant daughter was 
unharmed, although several bullets were found on the bed on which 
she lay. The attacking party were driven off, several of them 
being killed or wounded. 

During the winter of 181'-2-13 the small American fleet on 
Lake Champlain under command of Commodore Macdonough, 






upper picture, Red Rocks near Burlington. Chittenden 
County — Lower picture. Sunset near Colches- 
ter point. Chittenden County. 



72 Vcrmout, The Laud of Grccii Mountains 

was anchored in Smith's l^ay for winter quarters. Macdonough 
called this "my poor, forlorn looking squadron." The ship yard of 
the Champlain Transportation Company is located in Shelburne 
bay. 

The Laplotte river flows into Shelburne bay. The name 
is said to have been given to the stream as the result of a plot or 
stratagem executed by the x\mericans during the Revolutionary 
War. Learning that a band of Indians had concealed their 
canoes under the willows at the mouth of this stream, the boats 
were riddled with holes and put back in their hiding place. When 
the Indians returned from their exj)edition, they were fired upon 
from aml)ush and fled to their boats only to find that they were 
not seaworthy. Shelburne pond is in the northwestern part of 
the town and contains pike, pickerel, bass, pout, and perch. 

The property of Dr. W. Seward Webb, containing about 4,000 
acres, one of the largest and finest estates in the country, is located 
along the lake shore in Shelburne. A beautiful residence has 
been erected and large barns have been built, some of tliem being 
among the largest in the United States. A system of macadamized 
roads has been provided for the estate and farming operations are 
carried on upon a large scale. 

Among the residents of Shelburne who have gained dis- 
tinction, are the late Congressman Ezra Meech, and Gov. John L. 
Barstow. Byron S. Hurlbut, })rofessor of English in Harvard 
University, and dean of the department, was born here. 

SOUTH BURLINGTON— This town was set oft' 
from Burlington when the city was incorporated in 1865, and 
extends south along Shelburne bay. Queen City park is a well 
known summer resort, and there are several fine summer residences 
along Lake Champlain. 

UNDERHIL L— The first settlement was made in 1786, 
and the town was organized in 1795. 

This town lies in the shadow of Mount Mansfield, part of 
the mountain lying within its borders. The name is probably 
derived from the fact that Benjamin I^nderhill was one of the 
grantees and other persons of the same name were ])rominent in 
the organization of the town. 

Brown's river rises here on the slope of Mount Mansfield. 
This river and numerous brooks are well stocked with trout. 

Udny Hay, one of the early settlers, was deputy quarter- 
master general for the American army in New York during the 
Revolution and later was deputy commissary general of purchase 
for the northern division of the army. He was a prominent man 
in the early history of the State, being a member of the council 
of censors. 



lisscx County 73 

W E S T F O R D— The first settlement was made in 1787, 
and the town was organized in 1793. Among the early settlers 
was a New Ham])shire colony in the northeastern and a Rhode 
Island colony in the northwestern, part of the town. 

Westford is located on the western slope of the Green moun- 
tains and affords many scenic attractions. Brown's river flows 
northerly through the town. This stream and several brooks 
contain trout. 

Luke P. Poland, chief judge of the Vermont supreme court. 
United States senator and congressman, was born in Westford. 

WILLISTO N— The settlement was begun in 1774, and 
the town was organized in 1786. It was named in honor of Samuel 
Willis, one of the grantees. Most of the early settlers were people 
from Connecticut and western Massachusetts. Among the very 
first settlers was Thomas Chittenden, who held very much the 
same place in Vermont that George Washington did in the nation. 
With his wife and ten children he went on foot to Castleton in 
1776, being obliged to abandon his home on account of the Revo- 
lutionary War. He was the first governor of the State, holding 
office from 1778 to 1789 and from 1790 to his death in 1797. No 
other governor of the State has approached him in length of 
service. He was a wise and trusted leader during the formative 
period of the State, both before and after its admission to the 
Union. The State of Vermont has erected a monument in his 
honor near his biu'ial place. 

Martin Chittenden, a son of Thomas Chittenden, was gov- 
ernor during a parr of the War of 181*2. He aroused much opi)o- 
sition by attempting to keep the Vermont troops from partici- 
pating in the l)attle of Plattsburg. 

The Winooski riA'er lies along the northern border of the town. 
Portions of Hinesburg and Shelburne ponds are in this town and 
they contain bass, pickerel and pout. 



ESSEX COUNTY 



A V E R I L L — Averill was chartered as early as 176'-2, but 
it never has been organized. It is situated on the crest of the 
watershed between the Connecticut and St. Lawrence river 
systems, and has an altitude of about 1,800 feet. This town con- 
tains many scenic attractions and is much frequented by sports- 
men. It is growing in popularity as a summer resort. Great 
Averill, Little Averill and Little Leach ponds are situated in the 
northern part. The first two jjonds contain trout and saibling, 



74 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

salmon trout and longe. The last named pond contains an abun- 
dance of trout. The east branch of the Nulhegan river flows 
through this town. No part of Vermont more nearly approaches 
a wilderness than this section. The scenery around these ponds 
is very beautiful, and the added attraction of good fishing is 
likely to make this an important toiu"ist resort. 

B L O O M F I E L D— Bloomfield, one of the Connecticut 
river towns, was first settled in 1796, and was organized in 1802. 
It was chartered as Minehead, the name being changed later to 
Bloomfield. The Nulhegan river flows through the southeastern 
part of the town, emptying into the Connecticut. It receives 
the waters of the East branch, Black branch. Yellow branch. 
Mill branch, and Clough branch. The Black branch and several 
other streams contain trout. 

B R I G H T O N— The first settlement was made in 1823, 
and the town was organized in 1832. It was originally called 
Random, as it was a random purchase, the name being changed 
to Brighton when the town was organized. This town con- 
stituted a part of the route of the St. Erancis and Algonquin 
Indians from Canada to the Connecticut river and southern New 
England. Lake Memphremagog, the Clyde river, Island pond, 
and the Nulhegan river were important sections of this old highway 
of war parties. De Witt Clinton of New York once surveyed 
this route for a canal from Lake Champlain to Casco bay, Maine. 

There are eight ponds in this town, the largest being Island 
pond, which gives its name to the principal village. It was so 
called because near the center of the pond is an island containing 
22 acres. The pond is about two miles long and a mile and a iialf 
wide. Its altitude is about 1,250 feet. It is on a height of land 
between Lake Memphremagog and the Connecticut river and its 
waters drain into Lake Memphremagog. Surrounded by moun- 
tains, it is a beautiful body of water. Black pond. Buck pond, 
McConnell pond. Spectacle pond and Nulhegan pond are situated 
in this town. Bass, perch and pickerel are caught in several of 
these ponds. 

The principal branch of Nulhegan river rises only a few rods 
east of Island pond. The rivers of Brighton include the Clyde, 
the Kilby, and the Nulhegan. The Clyde river was named hy 
Surveyor General James Whitelaw from the Scottish river of 
that name. 

The division headquarters of the Grand Trunk railway are 
located at Island Pond where a railroad Y. M. C. A. building has 
been erected. This is a customs port. 

BRUNSWIG K— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1780 and it was organized in 1796. 





^^^::^2,_^^ <^ 




r/'/T/- picture. A I'cruuiut lu>mcsU\:d. Lciiiiin/ton tozcii. 

Essex County — Li>wcr pictuu-. Road mid river 

scene. Leniini/ton toz^'u. Ilsscx County. 



76 I'cnuoiif. The Land of (Jrrcn Mountains 

Brunswick lies along the Connecticut river and its meadow 
land is usually overflowed in the spring. The Nulhegan river 
crosses the northwestern corner and Paul stream crosses the 
southeastern part. Situated in this town are Little Wheeler 
pond, Benin's pond, Paul's Stream pond, Tuttle pond. South 
Wheeler pond, containing 150 acres and Mineral pond, containing 
'-200 acres. The last named is celebrated for its water lilies. Dace, 
perch, pickerel and trout are caught in the ^•arious ponds. 

Notch mountain, 2,'240 feet high, is the loftiest elevation in 
town. In the northwestern part of the town is a natural pass 
between two high mountains, called Little notch. The Magog 
road from the Connecticut river to Island Pond passes through 
this notch, the length of this mountain pass being about 20 rods. 

In a high bank forty feet above the Connecticut river, in a 
semi-circle, is a notable group of mineral springs, only a few feet 
a])art, each of which is said to differ from the others in taste. 
These springs are said more nearly to resemble the chalybeate 
springs of Germany than any others in New England. A little 
distance from the springs is Silver lake, its area being 25 or 30 
acres. From the heights above these springs, may be obtained 
a splendid and extensive view of the Connecticut valley. 

Deposits of light granite are found in BrunsAvick. On the 
old Daniel Smith farm is a granite boulder of 500 tons weight, 
upon so small a base that it has been called "the rock that stands 
upon nothing." 

C A N A A N — The settlement of Canaan, which is situated 
in the northeastern corner of the State, was begun as early as 1785. 
In 1801 the town of Norfolk was annexed. 

Leeds pond is partly in Canaan and partly in Canada, Big 
Leach pond is in this town. The streams include Roaring branch. 
Leach's stream and Willard brook, some of which contain trout. 
Big Leach or Wallis pond has an area of 1,200 acres and contains 
dace, pickerel and shiners. 

C O N C O R D — The first settlement in Concord, a Connecti- 
cut river town, was made in 1789 and it was organized in 1794. 

Moose river flows through the western part. INIiles pond, 
with an area of 400 acres, is situated at the foot of Miles mountain, 
which is 2,700 feet high. A cave in Miles mountain is considered 
something of a curiosity. Hall's pond, about a mile long and 
half a mile wide, is situated in the southern part. Other ponds 
are Meadow pond and Little pond. These ponds contain bass, 
carp, dace, perch, pout, pickerel, shiners and trout. There are 
numerous trout brooks in town. 

There are some copper deposits in Concord, but it has not 
])roved a lucrative business to work them. 




./;; outlet — /.;///(• Averill Lake, Averill town, Essex 
County. 




78 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

The first normal school in America was established at Con- 
cord Corner by Rev. S. R. Hall, who is said to have invented the 
blackboard and the eraser. Edward F. Bingham, a former chief 
justice of the supreme court of the district of Columbia, and 
Herbert Adams, the well-known sculptor, were born here. 

EAST HAVE N— The first settlement was made in 
1804, but the town was not organized until 1845. A high ridge 
runs through the center of the town. Moose river flow^s through 
the eastern part and the Passumpsic river through the western 
part. The streams contain an abundance of trout. 

FERDINAN D — This is an unorganized town, and was 
chartered in 1761. Many years ago part of the old town of Wen- 
lock was annexed. The Nulhegan river flows through the north- 
ern part. Many small streams are well filled with trout. New 
Found pond has an area of 300 acres. Mulligan pond an area of 
'■200 acres and Trout pond an area of 75 acres. Trout are caught 
in all these ponds. The southern part of the town is mountainous. 
The census of 1910 showed a considerable gain in population 
during the past decade. 

G R A N B Y— The settlement of Granby was begun in 1790, 
and the town was organized in 1798. It was named in honor of 
the Earl of Granby. The surface of the town is broken and hilly. 
Moose river flows across the western part. The town is also 
watered by Branch Pond stream and by Granby stream. Cow 
Mountain pond is situated in the southern part and part of New 
Found pond is in this town. These ponds contain trout and 
numerous trout brooks in town are well stocked. 

GUILDHiVL L — The settlement of this town was begiui 
in 1764. This region was much frequented by the Indians in 
the early days of its history. Col. Ward Bailey built a block 
house here during the Revolution which was afterwards used as 
the first county jail, Guildhall being the county seat. 

The streams in town include Wallace branch and Burnside 
branch. Several brooks contain trout. There are two small 
ponds in town, Stevens and Ball ponds, which contain pickerel 
and ])out. The highest elevations are Burnside mountain and 
Cow mountain, the latter mountain, situated in the western part 
of the town, being so named because a hermit Negro, who lived 
near here in the early days of Guildhall, was punished for stealing 
a cow. 

Henry W. Denison, a native of Guildhall, has been the legal 
adviser of the Japanese department of foreign affairs since 1880. 
He represented Japan in the drafting of the treaty of peace with 
Russia after the Russo-Japanese War. He is also member of the 
permanent court of arbitration at The Hague. Col. Everett C. 






upper picture, The Connecticut River. Bloonifield town. 

Essex County — Lozver picture. Touring road, 

Averill town, Essex County. 



80 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

Benton, of Boston, a native of the town, has given a library and 
Masonic hall to Guildhall. 

LEMINGTO N— The settlement of Lemington was 
begun in 1781. Later a part of Canaan was annexed. This is 
one of the Connecticut river towns and it is crossed by Willard 
stream, Mill branch and Clough branch. There is a small pond 
in the eastern part, and there are several trout brooks. Monad- 
noc mountain in this town is 3,0'25 feet high and is a mass of granite. 
From its summit a magnificent view up and down the Connecticut 
river antl over the White mountains may be obtained. A mineral 
spring issues from the eastern side of the mountain. The surface 
of the town is generally broken and rocky. 

LEWI S — Lewis is an unorganized town, which was char- 
tered in 176'2. Its surface is mountainous. It is watered by the 
North branch, the East branch, the West branch, the Yellow 
Branch, and the Black branch, all of which flow into the Nul- 
hegan river. Lewis pond is situated in the northwestern part. 

LUNENBUH G — Lunenburg, on the Connecticut river, 
was one of the first Vermont towns to be settled. The first 
permanent settlement was made in 1768, although settlers came in 
1764, supjiosing that they were locating in this town, but they 
found afterwards that they were in Guildhall. They came from 
Northfield, Mass., in canoes, a distance of 150 miles. Lunenburg 
was organized in 1781. The early settlers were troubled con- 
siderably by incursions of Indians and Tories during the Revo- 
lution. 

Neal's pond, about a mile long and half a mile wide, is situated 
in the western part of the town. It contains bass, pickerel, perch, 
and pout. Cat-Bow pond contains trout and there are several 
well stocked trout brooks in town. Mount Tug, !2,'210 feet high, 
is the highest elevation. Its name is supposed to have been 
derived from the fact that the early settlers experienced much 
difficulty in crossing it. A beautiful view of the White mountains 
may be o])tained from Lunenburg heights. 

MAIDSTON E— The first settlement was made in 1772. 
Much suffering was experienced during the Revolution on account 
of raids made by Indians and Tories. Forts were erected on the 
New Hampshire side of the river as a means of protection. 

Maidstone is said to have more acres of intervale land than 
any other Vermont town on the Connecticut river. Maidstone 
lake, in the western part, three miles long and one mile wide, 
deserves to rank among Vermont's most beautiful lakes. It 
contains lake trout. A cave has been discovered on the eastern 
side. West pond is situated in the northwest corner of the town. 



Franklin County 81 

Paul .stream, Gaskill branch, and AEill l)ranch are the most 
important streams. All the streams contain trout in abundance. 
From the summit of Byron mountain fine views of the White 
mountains and the Connecticut valley may be obtained. It has 
been said that the windings of the Connecticut river as seen from 
this mountain top, may easily })e imagined to spell the word Union. 

N R T O N — Norton, on the Canadian border, is one of 
the youngest of Vermont towns. The first permanent settlement 
was made in 1860, and it was organized in 1885. Until recently 
there was no highway from Norton to any other part of Vermont 
except l)y way of Canada, but the Legislature of 1910 appro- 
])riated money to aid in the construction of a road to Brighton. 
Norton ])ond is partly in this town. It has an area of 300 acres, 
is deep and clear, and its waters contain trout. Coaticook river 
is its outlet, which drains into the St. Francis and thence into the 
St. Lawrence river system. Great Averill pond extends into 
the eastern part. Averill stream crosses the northeastern corner 
of the town. 

V I C T O R Y — The first settlement was made in 181'2, and 
the town was organized in 1841. 

Victory is literally surrounded by moimtains. Burke moim- 
tain is on the western border, Mount Tug and Miles mountain 
are on the eastern and southeastern borders. Kirby mountain 
is on the southwestern border. Round mountain is on the line 
between Granby and Victory. Umpire moimtain is an important 
elevation. 

The streams include IMoose river which runs in a southerly 
direction through the town, LTnipire branch. Alder branch, and 
Granby stream. Lee's pond is situated in the southern part. 
Moose river derives its name from the fact that a large number of 
moose originally were found in this region, which was one of the 
Indian hunting grounds. There are many springs in this region. 
Moose river and several small brooks are stocked with trout, and 
suckers are cauaht in the river. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY 



B A K E R S F I E L 1)--Tlie settlement of this town was 
begun in 1789 or 1790, and it was organized in 1795. It was 
originally granted under the name of Knowlton gore, the name 
being changed to liakersfield in honor of Joseph Baker of West- 
boro, Mass., one of the first settlers. 

liald mountain, the eastern face of which rises perpendicu- 
larly a thousand feet, affords an extensive view of much wild 



82 Vcnuoiit, The Land of Green Mountains 

and picturesque scenery. Trout pond is in the southeastern part 
of the town, near which a small cave has been discovered. Tupper 
pond and Brown pond are in the northern part. There is another 
small pond called Daggett pond. These ponds contain pout, 
trout and dace, and there are several small streams in which trout 
are plenty. 

Brigham academy, a well-known educational institution, 
was founded by Peter Brent Brigham, a native of this town, and 
a wealthy business man of Boston. Chief Justice Charles M. 
Start, of the Minnesota supreme court, was born in Bakersfield. 

BERKSHIRE— The first settlement of Berkshire, a 
town on the Canadian border, was made in ITO^, and it was organ- 
ized in 1796. 

The Missisquoi river flows through the southeastern part 
of the town and it receives as a tributary Trout river. Pike river 
enters from Canada, makes a circuit of the town, and flows back 
again into the Dominion. Burleson pond is situated in the 
western part. Trout are caught here. 

Deposits of iron and soapstone have been discovered here. 

Gov. Eugene N. Foss, of Massachusetts, and his brother, Hon. 
George Edmund Foss, a Chicago congressman, for many years 
the chairman of the House committee on naval affairs, are 
natives of this town. 

E N O S B U R G — The first settlement was made here in 
1796, and the town was organized in 1799. It was named for Gen. 
Roger Enos, one of the grantees, who was the father-in-law of 
Ira Allen. He was one of Benedict Arnold's officers in his over- 
land march to Canada through tlie Maine wilderness and the fact 
that he and his troops turned back before they reached their 
destination, was the cause of much controversy. 

The eastern portion is on a spur of the Green mountains. 
The Missisquoi river flows through the northern part and Trout 
river crosses the northeastern corner. Enosburg Falls is a tliri\'ing 
and attractive village, being noted for its tidy and well-kept 
appearance. 

Rev. Sanuiel H. Greene, a former president of George Wash- 
ington uni^'ersity, and a prominent Washington j)astor, and 
Susan L. Mills, founder and president of Mills college for women 
in California, were born here. 

FAIR F A X — The settlement of Fairfax was begun in 
1783, and the town was organized in 1787. 

The Lamoille river flows through the southern part. It 
furnishes a most excellent water power in the Great falls which 
fall 88 feet in a distance of 30 rods. The Vermont Power & 
Manufacturing Company generate power here for use in St. Albans. 






Ufpcr picture. The beeches. Lake ChainpUiiii, FnuiL-lm 

Couuty^Lower picture, J drive along the 

Slissisquoi River, hraukliii County. 



84 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

The electric power house is sixty feet below the surface of the 
ground enclosed in natural walls of solid rock. Fairfax pond fur- 
nishes St. Albans with its water supply. Cold IVIill brook contains 
trout, and the usual river fish are caught in the Lamoille. Kuger, 
Gorse and Shepardson ponds contain pout, perch, pickerel, and 
suckers. 

Col. Myron M. Parker, a j^rominent Washington financier, 
was born here. IMaj. Gen. Israel B. Richardson, who saw service 
in the Mexican War and who died of wounds received in the battle 
of Antietam, during the Civil War. was a native of P'airfax. 

FAIRFIEL D— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1787, and it was organized in 1791. Fairfield pond, about three 
miles long and a nnle and a half wide, is situated in the northern 
part. It furnishes the village of Swanton with its water supply. 
Fairfield river is the principal stream. Fairfield pond contains 
bass, perch, trout, and landlocked salmon. Fairfield river and 
Black creek contain dace, pout, and pickerel. Fairfield is one of 
the largest towns in area in this ])art of the State. It is a fine 
agricultural region, and much maple sugar is made here. 

George Burton Adams, author, professor of history in Yale 
university, and editor of the American Historical Review, was 
l)()ni here. 

This town is noted as being the birthplace of President Chester 
A. ArthiH", who became chief magistrate of the nation upon the 
death of President Garfield. In 1820 Rev. William Arthur 
accei)ted a call from the Baptist church of North Fairfield. He 
had previously taught school and i)reached in several towns in 
Chittenden and Franklin counties, and in Canada. The birth- 
place of the future president was in a little country parsonage on 
a lonely by-road three-(|iiarters of a mile from the church and 
about midway between the villages of East Fairfield and Fair- 
field Center. He was named for Dr. Chester Al)ell of this tt)wn, 
the attending })liysician and a friend of the family. 

On August '^0, 1{)0'5, a granite monument, 6 x .5 x -I feet in size, 
was imveiled here, bearing the following inscription: "On this 
spot stood the cottage where was l)orn Chester A. Arthur, the 
twenty-first President of the United States. P^rected by the 
State of Vermont." Dedicatory addresses were delivered by 
William E. Chandler and Robert T. Lincoln, meml)ers of President 
Arthur's cabinet. 

F L E T C H E R — The settlement of Fletcher was begim in 
1788, and the town was organized in 1790. 

Fairfield river rises here and the Lamoille river forms i)art 
of the southern boundary. Half Moon pond, in the western part, 
is a crescent-shaped l)ody of water, half a mile long and a quarter 
of a mile wide. Metcalf pond, in the nortliern part, is a mile long 



Urankl'iu County 85 

and half a mile wide. North of this pond is a cave, the entrance 
of which is in a hillside. Metcalf ])ond contains pickerel, pont, 
and a few trout. Several small streams contain trout. 
Iron ore deposits have been found here. 

F R A N K L I N — The settlement of this town was he^^un 
in 1789, and it was organized in 179.S. It was originally called 
Huntsburg, having been chartered by Lieut. -Gov. Jonathan Hunt, 
and five others. The name was changed to Franklin in LS17. 
This town is on the Canadian border and the Fenian invasion of 
Canada in 1860, which ended rather ingloriously, was made from 
here. Franklin ])()n(l. also known as Siher lake and Lake Carmi. 
in the center of the town, is two and one-half miles long an.d one 
mile wide, and is a ])()])ular summer resort. Little pond is in the 
eastern ])art. Rock river rises in Franklin. This region is said 
to have been a summer hunting ground of the St. Francis Indians. 
Franklin pond contains l)ass, jjout. pike, and pickerel. Several 
small streams contain trout. 

(t E R G I A — This town borders on Lake Champlain, and 
the settlement was begun about 1785. It was organized in 1788. 
Early in its history most of the land in town was owned by Ira 
Allen. A church erected in 18()''2 is still standing, being use(l as a 
town hall. For many years it was considered the largest and 
finest church in northern \'ermont. It is said that the inhabitants 
denied themselves of all but the barest necessities of life in order 
to erect this edifice. 

The Lamoille river flows through the southern part. Mill 
river flows through the town. Georgia high bridge over this 
stream is one of the highest railroad bridges in the State. Pros- 
pect pond is in the northeastern part, and Gordon's ])ond is in the 
southern i)art. Some xevy rare fossils, trilo])ites, are found a])out 
two miles west of Georgia Center. A granite monument has been 
erected on the site of the l)irthi)lace of (xen. George J. Stannard, 
overlooking a l)eautiful and extensive view of Lake Champlain. 
Rev. Alvah Sabin, a WM-niont congressman, was a resident of 
Georgia. 

H I G H G A T E — Highgate is situated on the Canadian bor- 
der and its western boundary is Lake Champlain. The first settle- 
ment was made in 1786 or 1787. The town was organized in 
1791. At one time Ira Allen owned practically the whole town- 
ship. Many of the early settlers were German or Hessian trooi)s 
who had served in the British army. It is said that they sup])()sed 
they were settling on the Canadian side of the international bound- 
ary line. During the Canadian Rebellion of 1837, known as the 
Papineau War, some invasions of this town were made. Gen. John 
E. Wool of the United States armv, who became famous later in 



86 J'ciiuouf, The Land of Green Moitntaijis 

the Mexican War, was sent to the frontier to protect the interests of 
the United States. 

The Missisquoi river flows across the southern part and 
empties into Lake Champhiin. At Highgate Center it furnishes 
an excellent water power. Rock river crosses the southwestern 
part and empties into Lake Champlain. Cray and Cutler ponds, 
small in area, contain pout. Pike, bass, pout, and pickerel are 
caught in the rivers. From an eminence on the Colonel Dunton 
farm may be seen the coiu'se of the Missisquoi river for miles. 
Jay peak. Camel's Hump, Mount Mansfield, the Adirondacks, 
Lake Champlain, and on a clear day Mount Royal at ^lontreal. 

The mineral springs of this place have been well known for 
many years, and Highgate Springs has long been a popular summer 
resort. One of the large Fameuse apple orchards of the State 
is located in Highgate. 

Nelson H. Loomis, general solicitor for the Union Pacific 
at Omaha, and John G. Saxe, the poet, were born here. 

M O N T G O M E R Y— The first settlement of this town 
was made in 1793, and it was organized in 1794. This is a moun- 
tainous town and the scenic attractions are many. Jay peak, 
the highest mountain in northern Vermont, is partly in Mont- 
gomery. Trout river is formed here of several small streams. 
There are many trout brooks in town. This town is in a rich 
agricultural district. 

R I C H F O R D — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1795, and it was organized in 1799. This is a Canadian border 
town, and a sub-customs port and a Chinese immigrant station 
are located here. 

There is much mountainous land in town. The Missisquoi 
river flows through the northern part. Trout, bass, pickerel, 
suckers and shiners are caught in this river, and in Standhope 
brook. Larkin pond contains ])out. 

Richford is a busy, enteri)rising ^'illage. 

John B. Corliss, a prominent Detroit lawyer and congress- 
man, was born here. 

S H E L D O N— The first settlement was made in 1790, and 
the town was organized in the same year. Originally it was 
chartered as Hungerford, having been granted to Samuel Hunger- 
ford and his associates. The name was changed to Sheldon in 
179*2, in honor of Col. Sheldon, one of the first settlers and a friend 
of General Washington. 

The Missisquoi river flows through the town. This river. 
Black creek and their tributaries, contain dace, pout, pickerel, 
and suckers. Sheldon Springs was a jjopular summer resort at 
one time, its waters being famous for the relief of cutaneous diseases. 






Upfcr picture. Lo'wcr falls on Mill Rivci- near St. 

Albans Bay, Franklin County — Lower pietiire, 

Viczv on Aldis Hill, St. Albans, Lake Chani- 

plaiu in flic di.'^tancc, Franklin County. 



88 J'cDiioiit, The Land uf Green Mountains 

Iron ore deposits were discovered more than a century ago. 
As early as 1798 a furnace was built here and a considerable 
industry established in the manufacture of potash kettles. 

ST. A L B A N S— The first settler of St. Albans, a town 
on Lake Champlain, was Jesse Welden, a Connecticut man, who 
came here before the Revolution. No permanent settlement was 
made, however, until 1785. The town was organized in 1788. 
In 1807 the city of St. x\lbans was incorporated and St. Albans 
town was set off as a separate municipality. 

On October 19, 1864, during the Civil War, occurred the 
famous St. Albans raid. A band of twenty -two Confederates, 
under the leadership of Bennett Young, in broad daylight raided 
the banks of St. Albans, killed one man and escaped into Canada, 
taking $'■208,000. This incident created the greatest excitement 
and was the cause of some international complications. 

In 1866 the Fenian raid caused much excitement on the 
border, and Gen. George G. Meade, the Union commander in the 
battle of Gettysburg, was sent here to preserve neutrality. 

The scenic attractions of St. Albans are many. The city 
itself is a beautifid one and Taylor park is one of the finest parks 
of Vermont. A trolley line connects the city with St. Albans 
Bay, a steamboat landing during the summer months. There are 
many camps on the shore of Lake Champlain in St. Albans town 
and on islands in this vicinity. Camp Kill Kare on Ram island 
brings many boys here every summer. The lake shore dr^^•e 
from St. Albans to Swanton is a beautiful one. A magnificent 
view of Lake Champlain and the Adinjudacks may be obtained 
from Aldis and Bellevue hills, near the city. 

In the opening chapter of "Norw^ood" Henry Ward Beecher 
says: "The scenery of New England is picturesque rather than 
grand. Scarcely any other excursion coidd be ])lanned which 
would so well fill a summer's vacation as one which, winding 
leisurely up through the western jjortions of Connecticut, Mass- 
achusetts and Vermont, reaches a climax at St. Albans on the 
eastern shore of Lake Champlain; a place in the midst of greater 
variety of scenic beauty than any other that I remember in 
America." Referring to the view of the Adirondacks, Beecher 
said they rise "not in chains of single ])eaks, but in vast broods, 
a promiscuous multitude of forest-clothed mountains. On the 
north is scooped out in mighty lines the valley of the St. Law- 
rence; and on clear days the eye may spy a faint glimmer of Mon- 
treal." 

This city is the headquarters of the Central A'ermont rail- 
way, and its shops and offices furnish employment to a large num- 
ber of people. It is also the distributing point for a large flour 
and grain business. 





^ 




r/'/'cr picture, Pasture road north of St. Albans. Frank- 
lin County — Loivcr picture. Stevens Brook. 
St.' Albans. Franklin County. 




90 J'cnnoiif. The Laud of Green Mountains 

St. x\lbans has l)een the birthplace or the residence of many 
famous men. John Smith was a member of Congress, and one 
of the founders of the Central Vermont railway system. His son, 
John Gregory Smith, for many years was president of the Central 
Vermont, developing it into an important railroad system. He 
was one of the originators of the Northern Pacific railroad enter- 
prise and was president of that company for several years. He 
was famous as one of the Civil War governors of Vermont. His 
son, Edward Curtis Smith, has been governor of Vermont, 
president of the Central Vermont railway, and is actively engaged 
in many large business enterprises. 

Lawrence Brainerd, an anti-sla^'ery leader and United States 
senator, called to order the first Republican national convention 
which was held in Pittsbiu'g in 1856. Benjamin Swift was a 
congressman and a United States senator. Stephen Royce 
was chief judge of the supreme court and the last Whig governor 
of Vermont. Congressmen Homer E. Royce, Worthington C. 
Smith, and Bradley Barlow, were residents of St. Albans. Hon. 
Frank L. Greene, the present congressman from the First dis- 
trict, resides here. Gen. W. F. [Baldy] Smith, a prominent officer 
in the Civil War, Brig. Gen. Charles A. Smith, U. S. A., and 
Charles G. Whiting, for many years literary editor of the Spring- 
field, Mass., Republican, were born here. Many ])rominent rail- 
road men of the country have started in the employ of the Central 
Vermont in this place. Among the most noted of these may be 
mentioned Charles S. iVIellen, head of the New Haven system; 
E. J. Chamberlin, president of the Grand Trunk railway; J. M. 
Hannaford, vice president of the Northern Pacific; and F. W. 
Baldwin, at the time of his death superintendent of the Mexican 
Central . 

S W A N T O N — A settlement of French and Indians was 
made at Swanton long before any other white people settled in 
this part of the State for any considerable period. The earliest 
date of which any authentic record may be secured is 1759. 
It appears probable, however, that the French were here long 
before this date and there are evidences of Indian villages which 
may easily date back several himdred years before this time. The 
French built a stone church here and a saw mill. In all probability 
they retired to Canada in 1760, when the French posts in the 
Champlain valley were abandoned. It is claimed that a Jesuit 
chapel was erected at Swanton as early as the year 1700, and that 
it was the first house of religious worship erected within the present 
limits of Vermont with the exception of the chapel at Fort St. 
Anne at Isle La Motte, built in 1666. 

In 1765 an Englishman named James Robertson conducted 
a lumber business on the falls of the ^Nlissisquoi here. William 
Swanton, a captain in a British expedition against Louisbourg 






upper picture. Sunset on Lake Champlain, West Swan- 
ton, Franklin County — Lozver picture, Moonlight 
on Lake Chani plain. Franklin County. 



92 Vermont, The Laud of Grccii Moiiiitaiiis 

in the French and Indian War, returned by way of Lake Cham- 
phiin and some of his men may have located here. At any rate 
the town received its name from Capt. William Swanton. The 
last of the Indians are supposed to have left here about 1776. 
During the early part of the Revolution Swanton seems to have 
been abandoned. The first i:)ermanent settlement was made in 
1779, and the town was organized in 1790. The first settler was 
John Hilliker, who had been a British soldier. 

Many Indian relics have been found in Swanton. A burial 
ground of the St. Francis tribe was located on the Missisquoi 
river about two miles below the falls at Swanton village. An older 
Indian burying ground was situated near the Highgate line. 
This was so ancient that the St. Francis tribe knew nothing about 
the people who had interred their dead here. Beads and frag- 
ments of ])ottery have been discovered and there are hints of a 
higher civilization than the later Indian tribes attained. Many 
valuable relics have been obtained from the St. Francis burial 
ground. 

United States troops were stationed at Swanton in 1810 and 
1811, to aid in enforcing the revenue laws. There was much 
smuggling in the embargo period just before the outbreak of the 
second war with Great Britain. In 181'-2 barracks were erected 
here. In 1813 two British gunboats and some bateaux entered 
Maquani bay. About 600 soldiers landed and jiroceeded to 
Swanton, where they burned the barrac*ks and other government 
property. 

In 1909, as a part of the Lake Champlain tercentenary 
exercises, a granite monument was unveiled on the site of the old 
Jesuit chapel, bearing a cross and this inscription: "Near this 
spot stood the first church erected in Vermont, about 1700, to 
the glory of God Almighty for the mission of the St. Francis 
Indians. Dedicated July 3, 1909, on the occasion of the Ter- 
centenial celebration of the discovery of Lake Champlain. Erect- 
ed by the people of Swanton." 

Ma(|uam bay, on the western shore of Swanton, is a part of 
that portion of Lake Champlain known as the Great Back bay, 
which lies north of the Sandbar bridge and east of the islands of 
Grand Isle county. This region is famous for its good fishing 
and for its general attractions for tourists. A good hotel is 
situated at Ma(|uam bay, which is the terminus of one branch 
of the Boston & ^Lline railroad, and tourists have been coming 
here every summer for many years. There are many fine drives 
in this vicinity. 

As early as 1789 or 1790 Ira Allen had a dam built and a saw 
mill and grist mill erected at Swanton falls. The leading indus- 
tries of the town, at the present time, are the works of the Barney 
Marble Company, a branch of tiie Vermont Marble Company and 



Grand Isle County 92< 

the extensive plant of the Ro])in Hood Ammunition Company. 
The first marble mill was ereeted here in 181 '2. The marble mills 
now Avork almost exclusively on the mottled Champlain marble, 
quarried in this town a short distance south of the village, and 
on the Roxbury marbles. The Swanton marbles include jasper, 
olive and oriental varieties, including a royal red, the color of 
the richest Numidian. Both the Central Vermont and the Boston 
& Maine railroads enter Swanton. 

J. W. Babcock, a wealthy Wisconsin lumber dealer, and for 
many years a ])rominent member of Congress, was born here. 



GRAND ISLE COUNTY 



A L B U R G — Alburg, the northern town of Grand Isle 
county, situated in the northwestern corner of the State, is a 
])eninsula extending from the Canadian mainland into Lake 
Champlain. It was called by the I'rench, Point Algonquin. The 
first settlement known to have been made here was in 1781, when 
Sieiir Francois Foucault, owner of a French seigniory, built a 
stone windmill and established several families at what has since 
been known as Wind Mill ]:)oint. Like most of the French settle- 
ments this was short-lived. Following the French occupation, 
this town was known as CaldwelFs Upper Manor. It was granted 
by the State of \ ermont to Ira Allen and in his honor was called 
Alburg. There were many disputes over the ownership of this 
town. Sir George Young claime<l it as a grant from the Duke of 
York, and the controversy over the ownershij) lasted a long time. 
What is generally called the first permanent settlement of the 
town began in 178"^, and the town was organized in 1792. During 
the Canadian rebellion of 1837 there was considerable distur- 
bance along the Alburg frontier. 

The mineral springs attracted many visitors at the time when 
such springs were popular resorts. This town is a delightful 
summer tourist resort. The roads are fine and there are many 
good beaches and excellent camping sites. This is a fine fruit- 
growing section. 

Henry T. Reed, United States judge for the northern district 
of Iowa, and Darwin P. Kingsley, president of the New York 
Life Insurance Company, were born here. 

GRAND ISLE— This town is the northern ])art of 
an island in Lake Champlain which in 1798 was divided into the 
towns of Grand Isle and South Hero. The first settlement was 



94 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

made in 178.'?, and the town was organized in 1799. It was charter- 
ed as Middle Hero, the name being changed in 1810 to Grand Isle. 
One of the first settlers was Dr. Jacob Roebeck, surgeon of the 
Vermont State troops during the Revolution. 

This town is an ideal summer tourist region. Its climate is 
delightful, the scenery is magnificent, and it may be reached by 
train or steamboat. It is also a splendid fruit farming country. 
Like all the Grand Isle county towns, its roads are very good. 
Long before the system of using gravel for the construction of 
permanent roads was instituted in Vermont, lake shore gravel 
easily obtained and applied to the roads of this county, made them 
the best in the State. 

Asa Lyon, a clergyman here for forty years, was at one time 
a member of Congress. 

ISLE LA IVIOTT E— At Isle La Motte was made the 
first white settlement within the present limits of the State of 
Vermont. In the summer of 1666 Captain La Motte, or La 
^Nlothe, of the Carignan regiment, built Fort St. Anne on the 
northwestern shore of this island. This was the southernmost 
of a chain of forts built by the French, most of them being along 
the Riclielieu river. They were designed to protect the French 
settlements of the St. Lawrence valley, from the attacks of the 
Mohawk Indians and to serve on occasion as the base of attack 
on the English settlements in the colony of New York or their 
Indian allies. A chapel was also built here. This fort was made 
the headciuarters of a French expedition into the Mohawk country. 
While this fort was soon abandoned, the clearing made here was 
a favorite stopping place for more than a centiuy for expeditions 
betw^een Canada and the Hudson valley. 

Gen. Montgomery's army on its way to invade Canada in 
1775, camped here, awaiting the arrival of General Schuyler. 
In 1776 Benedict Arnold Avith his fleet sailed as far north as the 
channel opposite Isle La Motte. The headquarters of the British 
fleet for a time before proceeding to Plattsburg in the fall of 1814 
were at Isle La Motte. 

One of the events of the Lake Champlain tercentenary 
exercises in 1909, was a celeljration at Isle La Motte, which 
included the dedication of a bronze tablet and granite marker 
erected by the patriotic women of Vermont. A Roman Catholic 
shrine has been erected where the old chapel of Fort St. Anne 
stood and in a building near l)y may be seen many interesting 
relics of the French occupation. 

This town w^as chartered under the name of \'ineyard to 
Benjamin Wait, a Revolutionary ofiicer, and his associates. The 
first permanent settlement was made in 1788, and the town w^as 
organized in 1791. In 1830 the name was changed to Isle La 
Motte. This is a fine fruit-growing region and is capable of 





^^^^a^^cr-^^:^ ^ 





upper picture, Shore of Pearl's Bay, Grand Isle County 

— Lozvcr picture, A relic of bygone days, 

Pearl's Bay, Grand Isle County. 



96 Vermont, The Laud of Grccii Mountains 

great development, A valuable marble quarry is operated here, 
including a jet black variety, and extensive deposits of building 
stone, which have been used in the construction of Brooklyn 
bridge, the Victoria l)ridge at Montreal, and other important public 
works. 

Elwin Scott, former chief justice of the supreme court of 
the State of Washington, was born in this town. 

NORTH HER O— North Hero, one of the large islands 
of Lake Champlain, was called Isle Longue by the French. On 
the shore of this island the British erected during the American 
Revolution a block house at what is known as Dutchman's point, 
and maintained a military post here for nearly thirteen years after 
the close of the war. A tablet marking this sjjot has been erected 
by the Vermont Society, Sons of the American Revolution. 

In March, 1783, Enos Wood, Ebenezer Allen, and Alexander 
Gordon crossed the frozen surface of Lake Champlain on snow- 
shoes from St. Albans and drew lots for the location of claims. 
The first choice fell to Wood, and he took the south end of North 
Hero. The settlement of the town was begun in 1783, and it was 
organized in 1789. North Hero is the county seat of Grand Isle 
county. 

Like the other towns of this county. North Hero is a popular 
summer resort. Camp Abnaki, occupied in the summer by 
Y. M. C. A. boys from different parts of the State, is located in the 
northern part of the island. All that has been said of the other 
towns of the county in regard to good roads, scenic attractions, 
and natural advantages as a fruit-growing region, may be applied 
trutlifully to this town. 

SOUTH HER O— This town is located on the same 
island as Grand Isle, occupying the southern portion. This 
island and North Hero after the Revolutionary War, were char- 
tered to Ethan and Ira Allen, Samuel Herrick, Jonas Fay, and 
other ])rominent Vermonters, being called the Two Heroes. 
North Hero and South Hero were named, respectively, in honor 
of Ethan and Ira Allen. The first settlement was made about the 
year 1784, and the first settler is said to have been Col. Ebenezer 
Allen. He was a prominent Revolutionary officer in the service 
of Vermont, and while he figured in many engagements, probably 
his best known exploit was the captiu'e of Mount Defiance near 
Ticonderoga, which was accomplished under cover of darkness 
by a party led by Allen. This mountain is so steep that it was 
sometimes necessary for the men to climb on each other's shoulders 
in order to scale the heights. 

It is difficult to exaggerate in the use of adjectives describing 
the beauty of this town and other towns of Grand Isle county. 
Many summer people come here every year, drawn hither by the 




'// / / 




Ahnifi the shore of Ladd's Bay, Lake Clnuiipla'ui. Grand 
Isle Countv. 




93 Vermont, The Laud of Green Mountains 

scenic attraciions, ijood batliiug and boatinf>', good roads, and 
easy acoessihility. The Rutland Canadian railroad, a branch 
of the Rutland railroad, has been built directly through Lake 
Chaniplain from Colchester point to the southern end of South 
Henj. A great fill was made through the lake at large expense 
and a drawbridge was constructed in order that navigation might 
not be impeded. The effect of crossing this long fill is that of riding 
on a railroad train, directly through Lake Chaniplain. The 
various islands of the county are connected by bridges, and this 
forms one of the beautiful scenic routes of the country. Mineral 
springs ha\e been one of the attractions of the town for manj' 
years. Some of the finest a])ple orchards of this ])art of the 
country may be found in South Hero. 

Jewett W. Adams, a former go^•ernor of Nevada, was born 
here. 



LAMOILLE COUNTY 



13 E L \' I D E R E— This town was granted to John Kelley, 
a famous land speculator of New York, who dealt extensively in 
Vermont lands in the early history of the State. The first settle- 
ment was made in 1806, and the town was organized in 1808. 

This is a very mountainous town and contains several peaks 
from ^,000 to .S,0()0 feet high. It is noted for its wild and pictur- 
esque scenery. The North branch of the Lamoille river flows 
through the center. Belvidere pond is the only body of water of 
any size in town. This is a favorite resort for trout fishing. 

The town contains deposits of soapstone. 

CAMBRIDG E — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1783, and it was organized in 1785. It is large in area, parts of 
Sterling and Fletcher having been annexed. The Lamoille river 
flows through the town. Pickerel, j^erch, pout, suckers, and 
trout are caught in the streams of this town. Cambridge is 
situated at the base of Mount Mansfield, and one route to the 
mountain is through this town by way of the famous Smuggler's 
notch. Some of the finest scenery of the Green mountains may 
be found in this region. 

E D E N — Eden is a very large town in area. It was granted 
by the Legislature to Col. Seth Warner, of Revolutionary War 
fame, and to the officers and soldiers of his regiment. The settle- 
ment was begun in 1800, and it was organized in 180'2. 

Some twenty ponds, large and small, are wholly or partly 
located in Eden. North pond, more than two miles long and 









upper picture, A hit of shore on Xortli Hero Island, 

Lake Cluiiiiplaiii — Lozuer picture. The surf rolls 

on the rugged shore of Lake Champlain. 



100 J'crinoiit, Tlic Laud of Green Mountains 

about half a miJe wide, is situated iu the northern part. It is 
ahnost divided by two peninsulas. Formerly this pond was larger 
than at the ]>resent time owing to the construction of a dam 
which flooded a larger area. In 1803 the dam broke and rocks, 
trees, and even hills, were swept away with a roar that was heard 
for miles. Long pond is in the northwestern part, South ])ond 
and Fletcher pond, a little south of the central part, Rush pond 
in the southern part, Ritterbush pond in the western part, and 
Corse pond in the eastern part, on the Lowell border. The Gihon 
river, a branch of the Lamoille, flows in a southerly direction 
through Eden. There are many trout brooks, and in the ponds 
trout, whitefish, pickerel, and pout are caught. 

Hadley and Norris mountains are situated in the north- 
eastern ])art. The latter presents a rocky, jagged aspect. Bel- 
videre mountain, in the northwestern portion, is ])artly in Bel- 
videre, and from its summit may be obtained fine views of Lake 
Champlain and the White mountains. This mountain contains 
important and extensive deposits of asbestos. 

E L M O R E — This town was chartered to Col. Sanuiel 
Elmore and his associates. The settlement was begun in 17!)0, 
and the town was organized in 179'-2. 

The Hogback range of mountains runs through the town, 
terminating in an abrupt elevation called Elmore mountain. A 
road has been built to the summit and from this point a beautiful 
and diversified view may be obtained. Elmore pond in the 
northern part, containing an area of about 300 acres, lies at the 
foot of Elmore mountain. In the northern j)art the streams drain 
into the Lamoille river, and in the southern })art into the Winooski 
river. Trout and dace, pickerel, bass, pout and perch are caught 
in the waters of this town. 

There are copper deposits here. 

HYDE PAR K — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1787, and it was organized in 1791. 

This town was chartered to Jedediah Hyde and others, mostly 
residents of Norwich, Conn., who had rendered gallant service in 
the army and navy during the Revolutionary War. Captain 
Hyde participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. Hyde Park is 
the county seat of Lamoille county. 

There is a cluster of ponds in the northeastern part, some of 
them very small, which include Great pond. Clear pond, Pettengill 
pond. Perch pond. Pickerel pond and Trout pond. Most of them 
are fed by springs. The Gihon river crosses the northeastern 
part of the town. Bass, pout, pickerel, and trout are caught in 
thestreams and ponds. This region affords superb mountain scenery. 

Here Carroll S. Page has built u\) the largest business in 
raw calfskins in the world. He has been governor of the State, 





f>/' 




picfiirc. Lake Mansfield. Stozvc tozi'ii. LanioHU 
County — Lozt'cr picture. South from Mount 
Mansfield, Camel's Humfi in the distance. 



102 I'cDiioiit. The Liuid of Grccii Mountains 

and is now one of the United States senators from Vermont, being 
the author of the Page vocational education bill. 

J O H N S O N — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1784, and it was organized in 1789. It was chartered to William 
S. Johnson and others. The first settler was Samuel Eaton, of 
New Hampshire, who passed through this region while following 
the course of the Lamoille river, as a scout during the French and 
Indian War. He also traversed this region in the same capacity 
during the Revolution, and cam])edonthe same flat that he after- 
ward occupied as a farm. 

The northwestern part of the town includes a spur of the 
Green mountains. Round mountain is in the western part. 
The Lamoille river flows through the town. Near McConnell's 
falls, named for an early settler, where the water falls over a 
ledge of rocks a distance of about fifteen feet, may be seen a natural 
bridge about eight feet wide, which can be crossed at low water. 
From this bridge may be obtained a picturesque view of the seeth- 
ing, foam-crested waters. Sterling j)ond has an area of about 
thirty acres. Pout are caught in this pond, trout in the brooks, 
and suckers and trout in the Lamoille river. 

One of the State normal schools is located here. 

MORRISTO WN— The settlement of this town was 
begun in 1790, and it was organized in 1790. 

A few rods west of the village of MorrisN'ille, the Lamoille 
river falls over a precipice twenty feet high and thirty feet broad, 
and then flows through a rocky channel or chasm, the north end of 
which was called Pulpit rock. The foundations of this rock were 
gradually undermined by the action of the waters until finally 
it fell into the stream. On the west side of the chasm the rocks 
rise perpendicularly to a height of thirty feet and the spectator, 
standing on the edge of this precipice, sees the waters of the river 
])lunge into whac seems to be a boiling caldron, and rushing through 
a rocky channel the waters emerge at the south end and spread 
out, encircling numerous islands, the rocky sides of which are 
covered with a thick growth of evergreen. Large potholes have 
been worn at the foot of the falls. 

The Waterbury river rises in the southern part. Molly's 
and Joe's pond are situated in the southeastern ])art. These 
j)onds contain pout. There are several small trout streams. 
Trout, pickerel, and pout are caught in the Lamoille river. Near 
Morrisville is Lake Lamoille, with a shore line of five miles. This 
is coming to be a very popular summer resort. Already twenty- 
two cottages have been erected, heated and lighted by electricity. 
Sterling mountain is in Morristown. 

]Morris^•ille is a busy village and has the benefit of good water 
power. A large tannery is located here. 






I'f^pcr picture. One of flic inlets of Lake Lanioille. 

Morristo^^'ii. Lamoille County— Lozver picture 

Club House and spilhway at Lake Mansfield. 

Stotcc tozvn. Lamoille County. 



104 J'cniionf. TJic Land of Green Mountains 

H. Henry Powers, former judge of the supreme court aiul 
a former member of Congress resides here. George W. Hendee, 
a former governor and member of Congress, was a resident of 
Morrisville. Among the well-known persons born here are 
Leslie M. Shaw, governor of Iowa and secretary of the treasury; 
Benjamin S. Sanborn, a well-known publisher; Charles S. Gleed, 
a well-known lawyer of Topeka, Kans., a director in railroads and 
banks, and president of the Kansas City Journal, and James W. 
Gleed, his brother, also a prominent Topeka lawyer. 

STOW E — Stowe is one of the largest towns in the State in 
area. It was named for Stow in England. The settlement of 
the toAvn was begim in 1794. The town was organized in 1797. 
The town of Mansfield and a ])art of the town of Sterling have 
been annexed. The name Mansfield is supposed to have been 
derived from Mansfield, Mass., from which town some of the 
early settlers came. 

Perhaps Stow^e's chief distinction is the fact that the greater 
part of Mount Mansfiekl lies within its borders. This is the 
highest peak of the Green mountains and the loftiest mountain 
in the State of Vermont, its highest peak being 4,364 feet above 
sea level. The main bulk of Mansfield, which is about five miles 
long, has been likened to an u])turned human face. The various 
peaks have been called the Forehead, the Nose, the Lips, the Chin, 
and Adam's Apple. The Chin is the highest peak of Mansfield. 
The Nose is a great pile of rocks at the foot of which a hotel is 
located. It has been said that there are more features of interest 
on and about this mountain than may be found upon, or in the 
vicinity of, any other mountain in the East. A little distance 
below and to the north of the Chin, is the Lake of the Clouds, 
a small body of water surromided by evergreens and fed by springs. 
The Rock of Terror j>rojects o^er a tremendous precijiice on the 
eastern face of the mountain. The Cave of the Winds is situated 
on the eastern side of the mountain. This really is a great cleft 
in the rocks caused by some violent disturbance, which has rent 
the rocks apart. This cave is seldom entered because it is nec- 
essary to lower visitors by ropes, a distance of more than a hundred 
feet. The bottom of this cave is filled with ice even in the summer. 

MoiHit Mansfield may be ascended with comparative ease 
from three directions. The easiest method of ascent is to leave 
the Central ^'ermont railroad at Waterbury, take the electric 
road to Stowe, and there secure a conveyance for the top of the 
mountain, which is about ten miles. There is a good carnage 
road up the mountain which zigzags back and forth, most of the 
way through a beautiful forest. Few of the grades are very steep, 
but it is necessary to rest horses often and the average pedestrian 
will climb the mountain more quickly than a team. The road 
up the mountain was constructed many years ago at an expense 




Binglwiii's Falls. Smugglers Xotch, Lamoille County. 




106 rcniiont. The Land of Circcn Moitiitaiits 

of many thousands of dollars. As one approaches the summit, 
some magnificent views may he ol)tained, one of the most satisfying 
l)eing the vast extent of the great slope of the mountain, covered 
with forest verdure from base to summit like a beautiful green 
mantle. 

The mountain may be ascended from the western or Under- 
hill side and it is possible to drive about halfway up the mountain. 
The rest of the way must be traveled on foot, following a clearly 
defined trail. This is not a difficult trail for a vigorous and healthy 
person. A third method of ascending Mount Mansfield is, using 
JeflFersonville as a base, to drive uj) the mountain slope from that 
village through Smugglers' notch, which is one of the grandest 
scenic attractions in New England. The ascent into the notch 
from the JeflFersonville side is very steep for a short distance, but 
it is perfectly safe for a strong team with stout harnesses. In this 
notch or mountain pass, the cliflFs rise almost perpendicularly a 
thousand feet or more. Some of the rocks have assumed curious 
shapes, one being called the Elephant's Head. From time to 
time great boulders have detached themselves from the sides of 
the cliflFs, due largely to the action of the frost, and have plowed 
their way down into this valley. Some of them are of enormous 
size. 

One of the features of Snuigglers' notch is a beautiful crystal 
spring which pours out of the base of a cliflF a thousand feet high 
and at the rate of 1,000 gallons a minute. This spring forms a 
stream of considerable size, which, pouring down a steep and rocky 
declivity, forms Bingham's falls, an exceedingly {)icturesque 
water fall. Moss (ilen falls is another interesting feature of 
this vicinity. After passing through Snuigglers' notch the 
mountain is ascended by the same road used in coming from Stowe. 

As the traveler approaches the summit, he is likely to notice 
on the Nose of Mansfield several rock formations resembling 
human faces. Nearly the entire top of the mountain is covered 
with fir balsam. The Summit house is a comfortable hotel and 
people often stay here during the whole summer. This hotel is 
the center of Green Mountain trails, running east from Stowe 
into Smugglers' notch, south from Lake Mansfield and north 
from Jeftersonville. 

The views from Mount Mansfield are magnificent. To the 
west one may see almost the entire length of Lake Champlain, 
more than a himdred miles of which are spread out in the middle 
distance. Beyond this lies the great range of the xA.dirondack.'- , 
peak upon peak, with Marcy and Whiteface the most conspicuous. 
One may follow for hours the course of the Champlain steamers 
as they touch at various ])orts along the lake. In the foreground, 
between the base of the mountain and Lake Champlain, lies a 
beautiful panorama of fields and forests and village spires. To 






I'fh''' t'Cture. Rock of Terror. Mount Mansfield. La- 
moille County — Lozvcr picture. Roadivay to Mount 
Mansfield Trout Club. Lamoille County. 



108 J'cnitont, The Land of Green Mountains 

the north one may see a vast expanse of farms and forests, moun- 
tains and streams, with Owl's head and Jay peak on the Canadian 
border in the cHstance, and on a clear day Mount Royal, standing 
guard over Montreal, may be seen. To the east lies the Connecti- 
cut valley with the White mountains in the distance, the Presi- 
dential range being easily distinguishable. To the south lies 
what appears to be a perfect wilderness of mountains. 

Pictures seen from this mountain to]) are hardly ever twice 
alike. There are constant variations of light and shadow. The 
glory of the sunrises and sunsets are hardly ever twice alike. The 
clouds often hoA'cr over the mountain top through which the 
landscape below a])pears as seen through a transparent veil. 
At times one may stand upon a rocky peak of this mountain with 
great masses of l)illowy white clouds at his feet and all the rest 
of the world shut out from his vision. It is no exaggeration to 
say that this mountain is one of the most attractive, one of the 
most satisfying, to be found in all the length and breadth of the 
United States of America. 

Another of Stowe's attractions is Lake Mansfield, seven miles 
from the ^•illag•e of Stowe and several miles distant from Mount 
Mansfield. It is three-quarters of a mile long and covers an area 
of about one hundred acres. It lies near the foot of ^Nlount 
Admiral Clark and is a beautiful and picturesque spot. This 
mountain is named in honor of Admiral Charles E. Clark, who 
spends his summers at Lake Mansfield. The Lake Mansfield 
club house is a po])ular summer resort. Waterbury river flows 
through the town of Stowe. Another stream is Gold brook, so 
called because small (juantities of gold have been foiuid in its 
bed. The streams contain trout. Stowe is a beautiful little 
village surrounded by mountains and contains a very handsome 
memorial building used for town offices, post office and library, 
with a public hall in the upper story. It is the gift of the late 
H. C. Akeley, a prominent Minneapolis limiber dealer, who was a 
native of Stowe. On the heights overlooking the village is "Four 
Winds Farm," where Robert Taber and Julia Marlowe, his wife, 
spent their summers several years ago. The late Justice Bradley, 
of the United States supreme coiu't, was a summer visitor here. 

W^ATERVILLE— The settlement of this town was 
begun in 1797, and it was organized in IS'^^. 

Fletcher mountain, in the western part, and Bald mountain 
and Round mountain in the eastern part, are the most important 
peaks. Good water power is furnished liy the North branch of 
the Lamoille river. The brooks contain plenty of trout. 

There are talc deposits in Waterville. 

Luke P. Poland spent his boyhood here and in later years 
lived here and represented Waterville in the Legislature. He was 
Chief judge of the supreme court, was chosen United States 




Mount Mansfield from Sintigglcr's Xotch. Lamoille 
County. 




110 I'cnnoiit, The Land of Crccii Mountains 

senator to fill the unexpired term of Senator Collamer, and was 
a representati^'e in Congress for a considerable period. He was 
a prominent member of the House durinsi' the Reconstruction 
period and was considered one of the ablest lawyers in that 
body. 

W O L C O T T — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1789, and it was organized in 1791. It was named for one of the 
original i)roprietors. Gen. Oliver Wolcott, who was a signer of the 
Declaration of Independence, an officer in the American Revolu- 
tion, governor of Connecticut and member of Congress, and he 
did much to settle the long standing controversy between New 
York and Vermont. 

This town is watered by the Lamoille river, the banks of 
which are made picturesque by rocky cliffs. Wolcott pond, having 
an area of (200 acres in the eastern ])art of the town, is noted for 
its good bass fishing. Some trout are caught here, and in Atkins 
and Peach ponds. Trout and other fish are caught in the Lamoille 
river and its branches. 

There are copper deposits and a whetstone ledge in town. 



ORANGE COUNTY 



BRADFORD — Bradford, one of the Connecticut river 
towns, was settled in 1765, and was organized in 1773. It was 
chartered as Moretown, probably in honor of Sir Henry Moore, 
a royal governor of New York. The name was changed to 
Bradford in 1788. 

AVright's mountain, in the northwestern corner of the town, 
is 2,100 feet high. The western and southern parts of the moun- 
tain are })recipitous. On the southern side is a deep ravine, 
where during many centuries huge fragments of rock have fallen, 
forming caverns, the largest of which is called DeviTs Den. Two 
branches unite in the western part of the town to form Wait's 
river, and passing through a narrow c-hannel, about half a mile 
from where it empties into the Connecticut river, it affords good 
mill privileges. The beautiful shaded drives along Wait's river 
are exceedingly pictures(|ue. Another scenic attraction is Roar- 
ing brook, which dashes down over rocky ledges. Wait's river 
and numerous brooks in town contain trout. 

The first mamifactory of globes in the United States was es- 
tablished here liy James Wilson. 

Gov. Roswell Farnham was a resident of Bradford. Dr. 
D. K. Pearsons, an eminent })hilanthropist of Chicago, who gave 



Orange County 111 

away many millions of dollars, and Admiral Charles E. Clark, 
one of the most eminent American officers in the Spanish-American 
War, whose exploit in brinfiin<> the battleship Oregon around Cape 
Horn is familiar to every schoolboy, were born here. 

B R A I N T R E E— The settlement of this town was l>ejiini 
in 178.5, and it was orj^anized in 1788. It was named for Braintree, 
Mass., from which town several of the early settlers came. 

In the western part of the town is the Rochester and (iran- 
ville range of mountains. White river flows through Braintree. 
There are several other small streams, one of the largest of which 
is Ayer's brook, so called because a man named Ayer, who deserted 
from the English and became a guide to their enemies during the 
French and Indian War, was caught and hanged on this stream 
about 1755. Trout are found in the streams of the town. 

On Braintree hill is a rocky boulder about seventy tons in 
weight, once so jjerfectly ])oised that it coukl be moved with the 
pressure of one finger, but owing to the wearing away of the rock 
on which it rests, it is no longer easily moved. 

Frederick C. Ferry, dean of Williams college, was born in 
Braintree. 

B R O O K F I E L D— The settlement of this town was 
begun in 1779, and it was organized in 1785. 

Brookfield is on the height of land between the White and Win- 
ooski rivers, and it contains several ponds, including Colt's pond 
on which the village of Brookfield is situated, having an area of 
100 acres, North i)ond, South pond. Pierce pond, Lamson pond. 
Rood pond, and Beaver Meadow ])ond. Most of these ponds 
are north of the central part of the town, and they contain pickerel, 
perch, and j)out. Several brooks contain trout. Brookfield 
gulf is one of the chief scenic attractions, the deepest and most 
beautiful i)art of which lies between Bear hill and Moody moun- 
tain. 

C H E L S E A — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1784, and it was organized in 1788. It was granted by New York 
under the name of (iagel)orough, but no settlement was made. 
It was granted by the Vermont Legislature to Bela Turner and 
his associates as Turnersburgh, but the name was changed in 1788. 
This is the county seat of Orange county. 

Chelsea is watered by a branch of the White river. There 
is a sulphur s])ring in the north part of the town. A considerable 
number of summer visitors come here every year. 

Congressmen William Hebard and Daniel Azro A. Buck 
were residents of Chelsea. Among the well-known men born 
here were John Young, governor of New York many years ago, 
William F. Mlas, a member of President Cleveland's cabinet, 
and a .senator from Wisconsin, Alban J. Conant, a New York 



112 Vermont, The Land of Greoi Monniains 

portrait painter, and C. I. Hood of Lowell, Mass., of proprietary 
medicine fame. 

C O R I N T H — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1777, and it was organized in 1780. In 1781 Col. Wait, and Major 
Kingsbury, with two companies of soldiers, built a fort on Cook's 
hill in the center of the town, as a defense against the Indians 
and the Tories. In 178''2 a British scouting party compelled 
some of the inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance to the 
British King. 

Wait's river, flowing through the northeastern part of the 
town, falls a distance of 100 feet in a few rods. 

There are large deposits of copper ore in Pike hill which 
have been worked at various times. 

F A I R L E E — The first settlement of this town was made 
in 1766, and it was organized in 1775. 

This is a mountainous town and in some places the moun- 
tains approach close to the ('onnecticut river, forming almost 
perpendicular precipices. The village of Fairlee is situated at the 
foot of a great ledge, sometimes called the Palisades. Fine views 
of the Connecticut valley may be obtained from the summits of 
Sawyer's mountain and Morey's mountain. 

The chief scenic attraction of Fairlee is Lake Morey. This 
lake is about three miles long and a drive of seven miles will take 
one entirely around the lake. Mount Morey is on the right and 
Echo mountain on the left of the lake. It is a popular summer 
resort and several hotels and many cottages are situated on its 
shores. A little steamer adds to the attractions of the resort. 
At Glen falls, near Lake ^lorey, the water comes tumbling down 
through a gorge over a huge moss-covered boulder and it has 
worn a horsesiioe-shaped depression in the rocks. A shaded path 
from this waterfall leads to the summit of Echo mountain. A large 
summer school for girls, who are called the Gulick Girls, is located 
on Lake Morey. 

Lake Morey derives its name from Capt. Samuel Morey, 
who first began to consider navigation by steam in 1790. In 
1793 he operated on the Connecticut river a boat propelled by 
steam. Friends of Robert Fulton saw Alorey's invention and 
it is claimed that Fulton obtained his ideas from Morey, and robbed 
the Vermont inventor of the honor that belonged to him. Dis- 
couraged by his failure to obtain what he considered just treat- 
ment, Morey sunk his boat in the waters of the lake which bears 
his name. 

Part of Fairlee lake, having an area of 1,500 acres, lies in 
the southern part of the town. This lake and Lake Morey contain 
bass, pickerel, pout, perch, and shiners. The small streams 
contain trout. 




/■■■ i;y'^., ■^ii^f-.'n'N^ 



''""^'^S, '',"''•'!%' 









^^<«ft 








upper picture. "Doti'ii the Brook." Orauijc County- 
Lozver picture. Sunlit Grove near Ran- 
dolph. Orange County. 



114 I'crniont, The Land of Green Mountains 

N E W B U R Y — Newbury is one of the oldest of Vermont 
towns, and one of the largest in point of area. Its settlement was 
begun in 1761, and it was organized in 1763. Newbury is a fine 
old New England type of town. It is noted for its broad and 
fertile intervale meadows, called the richest and most beautiful 
on the Connecticut river north of Northampton and Hadley, 
Mass. The meadows of the Great Oxbow, where the river makes an 
oxbow bend, were cultiAated by the Indians before the white 
men came. Evidences of settlements on these meadows in pre- 
historic times have been found. 

The first grantee and founder of Newbury was Gen. Jacob 
Bayley, who became one of the most prominent men in eastern 
Vermont. He was very active during the Revolutionary War. 
and was a friend of General Washington. He suggested to Gen- 
eral Washington the building of the military road, from the Con- 
necticut river to Canada, promoted the enterprise, and built the 
road as far as Peacham. Newbury was garrisoned by one or more 
companies of soldiers during the Revolution, and in the early history 
of Vermont it was one of the most important towns in the State. 

Wells ri\-er crosses the northern part of the town and at its 
mouth is located the village of Wells Ri^'er, the largest village in 
Newbury. Hall's pond, having an area of 300 acres, is near the 
center of the town. Long pond and Round pond in the w^estern 
part and Harriman's pond is in the eastern part. Bass, carj:), 
pickerel, and perch are caught in these ponds. A range of hills 
extending north and south parallel with the Connecticut, rises 
in terrace-like formations from the Connecticut river to Wright's 
mountain, in the western i)art, '-2,100 feet high. From the summit 
of this elevation may be seen the White mountains in the east, and 
the Green mountains in the west, and include such important peaks 
as Mount Washington, Moosilauke, Ascutney, ]\Iansfield and 
Camels Hump. Hale's tavern at Wells River, headcpiarters of 
The Fat Men's Club, is one of the best known hostelries in the 
State, and is patronized by many automobile tourists. The 
summer lousiness is growing in this region. 

In 18^4, a canal survey of the Connecticut river was made 
from Hartford, Coim., to the Canadian line by De Witt Clinton. 
In 1830, a small steamer ascended the river as far as Wells river, 
but steam navigation on this part of the Connecticut has never 
been developed. 

Joseph E. Chamberlin, literary editor of the New York Mail, 
is a native of Newbury. 

In 191'2, the 1.50th anniversary of the town was celebrated. 
Several historic markers were erected which included one in honor 
of Gen. Jacob Bayley; one in honor of Col. Thomas Johnson, who 
was one of the first settlers of Newbury, and aide to Gen. Lincoln 
at Ticonderoga in 1777; one on the site of the old Gloucester county 




Along the trail, Orange County. 




116 Vcniwiit, The Land of Green Mountains 

court house; one on the site of the old log meeting house used by 
the early settlers, later used for the first public school in this part 
of New England; one on the site of the building in which the State 
Legislature convened in 1801; and one marking the beginning 
of the Bayley-Hazen Military road. 

O R A N G E — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1793, and it was organized in 1796. It is situated on the height of 
land between the Connecticut river and Lake Cham})lain, and 
affords many fine views of the surrounding country. Knox 
mountain is situated in the northeastern j)art. There are many 
small streams in to^vn well stocked with trout. 

There are granite deposits in town. 

Frank P. Sargent, appointed commissioner general of immi- 
gration by President Roosevelt, was born here. 

R A N D O L P H— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1776, and it was organized in 1783. It suffered from Indian 
raids during the Revolution, and the houses of some of the settlers 
were burned. 

The greater part of this township lies between the second ami 
third branches of White river. A central plateau extends from 
north to south through this town. 

There are deposits of granite here. 

For many years one of the State normal schools was located 
here. It recently was changed into a State agricultural school. 

Chief justice John W. Rowell, of the Vermont supreme court, 
resides here. Dudley Chase, chief judge of the Supreme Court, 
and twice elected a United States senator from \'ermont, was a 
resident of Randolph. Salmon P. Chase of Ohio, secretary of 
the treasury under President Lincoln and chief justice of the 
United States supreme court, was a nephew of Senator Chase. 
Col. R. J. Kimball, a New York banker, was born here, and pre- 
sented Randolph with a ])ublic library })uilding. Col. A. B. 
Chandler, of New York, president of the Postal Telegraph Com- 
pany, was born here. In his youth he was a military telegrapher 
and as such was brought into intimate relations with President Lin- 
coln. He has a beautiful home here situated in ^Nlari-Castle 
Park. He has given to Randolph, Chandler Music hall. Al- 
bert A. S])rague, one of Chicago's leading business men, is a 
native of this town. Justin Morgan, many years ago, brought here 
from Massachusetts the famous horse which is known by his name, 
and established one of the noted breeds of horses in America. 

S T R A F FOR D— The first settlement was matle in 1768, 
and the town was organized in 1778. ^Sluch disturbance was 
created here during the Revolution, by raids made by parties of 
Indians and Tories. A log fort or blockhouse was erected in that 
part of the town known as Old City. Lieutenant Smith was in 




The old Elm, near Randolph Center. Orange County. 




rT35> 



II 



118 I'cniioiit. The Land of Giwii Mountains 

command and when the garrison was absent on scout chity, the 
wife of the commanding officer acterl as sentinel. 

This town is watered by a brancli of the Ompompanoosuc 
river. Miller pond, in the northeastern part, is on an elevation 
1,800 feet above sea level, and has an area of 100 acres. The 
western boundary runs along a high ridge separating that town 
from Tunbridge. Kibling hill, in the western part, is about 
^2,000 feet high and McMaster hill is 1,1)00 feet high. One of 
the scenic attractions of the town is Old City falls, a beautiful 
cascade which falls over the rocks about a mile from the North 
village. The small streams contain trout and pickerel, and perch 
are found in Miller's pond. 

There are extensive copper deposits in Strafford and copperas 
works in the southern part. 

This town is famous as the home of the late Justin S. Morrill. 
Mr. Morrill spent the early years of his life in Strafford as a country 
merchant. Being elected to Congress he was soon recognized 
as one of the leading members of that body, was made chairman 
of the important Ways and Means committee, and was the author 
of the Morrill tariff act. He was elected to the United States 
Senate and for many years was chairman of the Finance committee 
of that body. He was the father of the great agricultural college 
system of this country. To him more than to any other man, is 
due the erection of the beautiful Congressional Library of Wash- 
ington and the plans for beautifying that city. At the time of 
his death he held the record of a longer period of continuous 
service in Congress than that of any other man in the history of 
the United States. Here, in this little country village, which had 
given to the country one of its greatest statesmen, the body of 
Senator Morrill was laid to rest in a beautiful marble mausoleum. 

T H E T F O R D — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1764, and it was organized in 1768. Moose yarded in town 
several years after the settlement was begun. One of the early set- 
tlers, Joseph Downer, was near General Wolfe when the English com- 
mander was shot on the Plains of Abraham at Quebec. Another 
pioneer, Richard Wallace, swam across Lake Champlain through 
the lines occupied by the British fleet lying off Ticonderoga in 
1777, and carried dispatches to General Lincoln, ordering him 
to proceed southward. 

A church erected here in 178o is still standing. The Ompom- 
panoosuc river crosses the southwestern ])art. Part of Fairlee 
lake lies in the northern part, Child's pond, 60 feet deep and nearly 
round, covering about nine acres, lies only a few rods from the 
Connecticut river. It is fed entirely by springs. There are 
several trout brooks in town. 

There are deposits of soapstone in Thetford. 




<^^^^<r-^^ ^ 




Lake Morcy, Fairlcc tozvn, Orange County. 




120 J'cniwiit, The Laud of Green Mountains 

The loOth anniversary of the chartering of this town was 
celebrated in 1911 with a notable pageant. It was under the 
direction of \Yiniam Chauncy Langdon of the Russell Sage Founda- 
tion. This c-elebration not only afforded a beautiful historical 
pageant, l)ut it developed a new spirit of enthusiasm in one of 
Vermont's rural towns. A soil expert and a farm management 
expert were brought here to aid in agricultural development and 
the women organized the Thetford Kitchen for the sale of certain 
choice food products. 

Prof. Dean C. Worcester, a member of the Philippine com- 
mission, and S. W. Burnham, the famous astronomer, were born 
here. George Peabody, the famous philanthropist, spent part 
of his boyhood here at the home of his grandfather. He went to 
London, England, where he becaiue a very prosperous merchant 
and broker. He gave millions to improve the conditions of the 
laboring poor of London and other millions to establish a fund for 
educational purposes in the Southern States of this country. 
During the later years of his life he gave $5,500 for books for a 
library for the village school at Thetford. 

T O P S H A M — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1781, and it was organized in 1790. 

The surface is uneven. Several branches of Wait's river 
rise here. jNlilligan pond is in the northern part of the town. 
Keeman's pond contains trout. The village of Wait's River is 
in the southern part. 

Gov. J. H. Peabody of Colorado and Rev. George A. Gates, 
president of Iowa College, of Pomona College, and of Fisk LTni\er- 
sity, were born here. 

TUNBRIDG E— The settlement of this town was begnn 
about 1776, and the town was organized in 1786. Several men 
were killed here during an Indian raid in 1780, and the women and 
children suffered great hardshij)s. 

The east branch of the White river divides the town into 
nearly equal parts. Numerous brooks contain trout. The central 
part of Tunbridge is lower than its borders. 

V E R S H I R E — The settlement of the town was begun 
about 1779, and it was organized in 1783. At one time it was 
called Ely, but tlie name was changed again to \ ershire. 

The surface is hilly and broken. Two ranges of hills extend 
east and west through tlie town. The southern face of Eagle 
ledge in the northern part is of bare rock reaching to a perpen- 
dicular height of more than "^OO feet. The Ompompanoosuc 
floAvs through the eastern part. 

This town has been best known on account of its copper 
mines. The Vermont Copper Mining Company was organized 




ChaiuHcr Brook, Randolph Center, Orange County. 




122 J^cnnont, The Land of Green Mountains 

in 1853, and the mines were worked for many years. At one time 
more than 100 tons of ore were produced daily, and nearly 2,000 
persons were directly supported by this company. Financial 
troubles arose, and in 1883 rioting among the workmen necessitated 
the calling out of the State militia. The mines have not been 
operated for several years. 

WASHINGTON~The settlement of this town was 
begun in 1785, and it was organized in 1793. The territory em- 
braced in Washington was granted by New York under the name 
of Kingsland and it was the county seat of Gloucester county, 
organized under the authority of New York. A log jail erected 
here gave the name Jail branch to a tributary of the Winooski 
river. The town of Washington was granted by the Vermont 
Legislature in 1780 to Maj. Elisha Burton and others. 

The surface of the town is hilly, the loftiest elevation being 
Washington peak, 2,500 feet high. From its summit a beautiful 
panorama may be seen. A mile northeast from Washington 
village, on a conical hill 1,300 feet high, is a granite boulder of 80 
tons weight. Several small streams contain trout. 

WEST FAIRLE E— This town was set off from Fairlee 
as a separate township in 1797. Fairlee lake lies partly in the 
southeastern corner of the township and on its shores is located a 
large summer school. The Ompompanoosuc river crosses the 
southwestern corner. 

One of the first settlers was Nathaniel Niles, a clergyman, 
who was one of Vermont's first congressmen. 

WILLIAMSTO WN— The settlement of this town 
was begun in 1784, and it was organized in 1787. 

Williamstown is situated on the height of land between the 
Winooski and the White rivers. A small brook divides here, 
part of its waters going north into the Lake Charaplain system, 
and part going south into the Connecticut river system. Williams- 
town gulf is one of the important scenic attractions of central 
Vermont. It is a deep ravine between two lofty forest-clad hills, 
and is about two miles long. There is just room for the highway 
which follows the course of the little stream. The road is l^eauti- 
fully shaded and many automobile parties visit this place, which 
is on the direct road from White River Junction to Montpelier, 
a favorite route for tourists and one of the finest stretches of good 
automobile road to be found in this part of New England. 

There are several ponds in the southern part of the town 
including Cutter pond. Staples pond. Lime pond and Rood pond. 
The last named is partly in the town of Brookfield. Lime pond, 
having an area of about eight acres, is so called on account of 
the marl deposits it contains. The owner of a saw mill in this 



Orleans County 123 

part of the town, about 1830, tried to increase his water power by 
diverting the waters of a nearby pond. This attempt resulted 
something like the attempt to divert the waters of Runaway pond 
in Glover. The waters of the pond went out with a roar, up- 
rooting trees, carrying away rocks and draining the pond. 

This town was the home of Elijah Paine, judge of the supreme 
court, United States senator, and United States district judge. 
His son, Charles, became governor of Vermont. Thomas Daven- 
port, inventor of the electric motor, and Henry B. Hersey, a well- 
known aeronaut and meteorologist, were born here. 



ORLEANS COUNTY 



ALBA N Y — The settlement of this town was begun about 
17!)9, and it was organized in 1806. The town was chartered as Lut- 
terloh, being named in honor of Col. Henry E. Lutterloh, one of 
the original proprietors. The Hazen Military road crossed the 
southwestern corner of the town. Black river flows through the 
central part in a northerly direction. This stream is entirely 
distinct from the Black river in the southeastern part of the State. 
Heartwell and Duck ponds are in the eastern part, Page pond is 
in the southern part and a portion of Great Hosmer pond, having 
an area of 1,000 acres, is in the southern part. These ponds 
contain pout, pickerel, and trout. In the streams pout, shiners, 
pickerel, and trout are caught. Harvey's mountain is in the 
southwestern part. 

Deposits of muck, shell marl, and granite are found in Albany. 

Nelson A. McClary, a prominent Chicago business man, is 
a native of this town. 

BART O N — The settlement of this town was begun about 
1792, and it was organized in 1798. It was granted to Col. 
William Barton, of Providence, R. I., and his associates, one of 
whom was John Paul Jones, the naval hero of the American 
Revolution. Colonel Barton achieved distinction during the War 
for Independence by the capture of Sir William Prescott, the 
British commander in Rhode Island. The town was chartered 
as Providence, but the name was changed in honor of Colonel 
Barton. 

Barton river rises in this town and near the southern bound- 
ary line receives the waters of the Willoughby river. They contain 
trout and dace. Crystal lake, a beautiful body of water, is about 
two and one-half miles long and about one-half a mile wide. It 
was called by the French, Belle Lac. Barton village is situated 



124 J'criJionf, The Land of Green Moiiiifains 

at its outlet. Near this lake are two springs within one hundred 
yards of each other, the waters of one spring being discharged into 
Crystal lake and finding their way into the St. Lawrence; the 
other flowing south into the Passumpsic river and thence into 
the Connecticut. Ufford's pond has an area of 400 acres. May 
pond is in the eastern part, and has an area of 1,000 acres. Other 
ponds are Thompson anfl Little ponds. On May brook is a 
natural flume, the stream flowing through a channel in the 
granite rock 150 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 20 feet deep. The 
streams of Barton furnish many good water powers. The ponds 
contain bass, perch, pickerel, trout, dace, pout, and suckers. 
Barton mountain is in the central part. 

There are deposits of granite in town. 

Congressman W. W. Grout was a resident of Barton for many 
years. William N. Ferrin. ])resident of Pacific university, was 
born here. 

B R O W N I X G T O N— This town, chartered to Timothy- 
and Daniel Brown, was settled about 1796, and was organized 
about 1799. During the war of 181''2 there was much excitement 
liere, a state of afl^airs that prevailed in most towns on or near the 
Canadian border, owing to fears of an invasion. A storehouse 
was built on North hill in which a stock of ammunition was placed. 
Some of the inhabitants were so much alarmed that they buried 
their valuables and fled. 

Willoughby river crosses the southern part of the town. 
Brownington pond is situated in the northern part. Clear pond 
has an area of oOO acres, and contains pickerel and perch. The 
streams contain trout. 

Brig.-Gen. Stephen P. Jocelyn, U. S. A., a well-known Indian 
fighter, was born here. 

CHARLESTON— The settlement of this town was 
begun in 1802, and it was organized in 1806. It was granted in 
1780 to Commodore Abraham Whipple, a naval officer of tlie 
Revolution, his shipmates and others, mostly from Rhode Island, 
and was called Navy. The name was changed to Charleston in 
1805. 

Clyde river flows through the central part. The Great falls 
on this river have a descent of more than a hundred feet in a 
distance of forty rods. Echo pond, a mile and a half long and 
one mile wide, is in the eastern part. It was named by Gen. 
James Whitelaw on account of a remarkable series of echoes pro- 
duced in its vicinity. Pensioner pond, in the western part, 
received its name from the fact that the pension money of a 
Revolutionary soldier was used to build a mill dam and saw-mill 
on the outlet of the pond. Toad pond is in the northern part and 
Broadway pond is situated near the Morgan line. Seymour 






V pfer picture, Foster Grove. Lake WUloiighby. Orleans 

County — Lozi'cr picture. Lake JJlllougliby, shotv'mg 

Mounts Pisgah and Hor, Orleans County. 



126 J'cnitont, The Laud of Crccii Mountains 

lake in Morgan flows throngh Mill ri\-er into Echo jjond and 
thence into Clyde river. Trout are caught in the streams and 
pickerel, perch, and shiners in the ponds. 

C O V E N T R Y— The first settlement was made in 1799, 
and the town was organized in 1803. It was named for Coventry, 
Conn., the native place of Maj. Elias Buel, one of the grantees. 
Ira Allen purchased most of the town at sheriff's sale for taxes 
and while in London sold '2,000 acres to Stephen Bayard, of Phil- 
adelphia. Later the whole town was sold at auction to satisfy 
a direct tax levied by Congress. The name was changed to 
Orleans in 1841 and later was changed again to Coventry. 

Black river flows through the central part of the town and 
Barton river through the eastern part, both emptying into Lake 
Memphremagog. South bay of Lake Memphremagog extends 
into this town. Priest pond has an area of about 500 acres. Bass, 
pickerel, lake trout, and many other varieties are caught in the 
lake, pout and trout in the pond and trout in the small streams. 

C R A F T S B U R Y — The first settlement was made in 
this town in 1788, and it was organized in 179'2. The town was 
granted to Ebenezer Crafts and others in 1781. It was chartered 
as Minden but the name was changed to Craftsbury in 1790 in 
honor of its founder. Colonel Crafts was a graduate of Yale college, 
an officer in the American Revolution and assisted in putting down 
Shays' Rebellion. Becoming somewhat embarrassed financially, 
he sold his property at Sturbridge, Mass., and remo\ed to the 
new town in Vermont which he and his associates had piux'hased. 
Here he gathered about him some excellent families from his old 
home. 

The Black river is formed here by the union of several 
smaller streams. One of tlie branches of the Lamoille river flows 
through Craftsbury. Great Hosmer pond is in the northern i)art 
of the town, a portion of it lying in /Vlbany. Little Hosmer pond, 
with an area of 600 acres, is in the northern part. Elligo pond is 
in the southern part and extends into Greensboro. It is a beauti- 
ful body of water and is located in a gulf or depression. The 
eastern shore rises abruptly in high, perpendicular cliffs. This 
region was a favorite resort for the St. Francis Indians. Pickerel, 
pout, and eels are caught in Black river, and pout, and pickerel 
in the ponds. 

Samuel C. Crafts, governor, member of Congress and L^nited 
States senator, and Augustus Young, a congressman, were 
residents of Craftsbury. Burleigh F. Spaulding, chief justice 
of the supreme court of North Dakota, and Fanny Burnham, 
who later became Mrs. Kilgore of Philadelphia, the first woman 
lawyer admitted to practise in the courts of the United States, 
were born here. 





M(>oiiIi(/hf oil flic Lake, Glover tozvn. Orleans County. 




128 J'cnnonf, The Laud of Grccii Moinifaius 

D E R B Y — The settlement of this town was begun in 17J)5 
ant! it was organized in 1798. It is situated on the Canadian 
border, and was formerly a himting ground of the St. Francis 
Indians. The town of Salem was annexed in 1881. 

The surface of Derby is very level for a Vermont town. 
Clyde river flows through the southern part. Salem pond, four 
miles long and three miles wide, is in the eastern part. Derby 
pond, near the center of the town, a mile and a half long and three- 
fourths of a mile wide, empties into Salem pond. Lake Memphre- 
magog lies on the western border. Pickerel are caught in Clyde 
river and trout in the brooks. Pickerel, pout, bass, and perch 
are caught in the ponds. 

Beebe Plain post office is situated partly in the United States 
and partly in Canada. 

There are granite deposits near the center of the town. 

Josiah Grout, a former governor of Vermont, resides here 
and Congressman Portus Baxter was a resident of Derby. Sur- 
geon General J. H. Baxter, of the United States Army, Charles 
Kendall Adams, president of the University of Wisconsin, and 
Charles H. Deere of Moline, 111., a well-known manufacturer of 
agricultural im])lements, were born here. 

G L O A' E R — The settlement of this town was bbgun in 
1798, and it was organized in 1803. It was named for Gen. John 
Glover of Marblehead, Mass., to whom it was granted bjy' Con- 
gress for distinguished military services. General Glover con- 
ducted Burgoyne's army to Boston after the British surreiider at 
Saratoga. 

In the southern part is a small elevation called Black hill. 
Barton river rises in the town and within the limits of Glover are 
branches of the Passumpsic, Lamoille, and Black rivers. Parker's 
l)ond, with an area of 3''20 acres, is in the northern part, Sweeney's 
jjond and Daniels' pond are in the western part, Clark's pond and 
Runaw^ay jiond are in the southern part, and Stone's pond, with 
an area of 275 acres is near the center of the town. A century 
ago Long pond, a mile and a half long and half a mile wide, about 
five miles from Glover village, was situated partly in this town 
and partly in Greensboro and discharged its waters south into 
the Lamoille river. Mud pond was situated north of, and a little 
below. Long pond. Several mills were located on a small stream 
which was the outlet of Mud pond. Sometimes this stream failed 
during the summer and it was proposed to turn some of the waters 
of Long pond into Mud pond in order to furnish water power for 
the mills. 

On June 6, 1810, about sixty men began to dig a channel in 
order to divert the waters of Long ])ond into the smaller pond 
below. It happened that the northern barrier of this pond was 




• -.***-»*&tM«Bt>. 




,^^52J,^S>' ^ 



upper picture, A fjlinipse of Caspian Lake from thi 

roadway, Greensboro ioimi, Orleans County — Lower 

picture, A inez^' of Caspian Lake, Orleans County. 





130 J'crmoni, The Land of Green Mountains 

composed of quicksand with only a thin coating of clay and 
almost immediately the waters went out with a rush so that in 
fifteen minutes the bed of the pond was left entirely bare. 

A torrent of water sixty feet high and twenty rods wide 
swept through the channel of the Barton ri^'er, over the Barton 
meadows, destroying forests, leveling hills, filling valleys, moving 
huge boulders, and carrying with it mills, houses, barns, fences, 
cattle, horses, and sheep. The people who lived in the pathway 
of this torrent barely escaped with their lives to the mountains. 
In about six hours all the waters of this pond had reached Lake 
Memphremagog, a distance of twenty-seven miles. The channel 
through which the waters escaped is V27 feet deep and several 
rods Avide. A highway now runs through the bed of the old pond 
and on either side the land is cultivated. Trout are quite abun- 
dant in the streams. Pickerel, pike, pout, bass, longe, and shiners 
are caught in the ponds. 

GREENSBOR O— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1789, and it was organized in 1783. It was first called Colt's 
hill in honor of Harris Colt, one of the grantees. The Hazen 
military road passed through Greensboro and a blockhouse was 
erected on the western side of Lake Caspian. This post was 
attacked during the Revolutionary War by the Indians. Two 
of the garrison were killed and scalped and others were taken 
prisoners. 

Caspian lake, or Greensboro pond, one of the most charming 
l)odies of water in Vermont, is situated in this town. A large 
number of ]:)eople come here every summer and the shores are 
lined with cottages. Golf links have been laid out here for the 
benefit of the summer visitors. 

The highest cultivated land in the State is said to be in 
Greensboro. The Black river flowing north, and the Lamoille 
riA'er rise here. Elligo pond extends into the western part of 
the town. Long i)ond, and Horse ])ond are in the northeastern 
j)art. There are several good trout streams in town. Trout, 
pickerel, jjout, and suckers are caught in the lake and ponds. 
There are many boulders and some rocking stones in Greensboro. 
One boulder upon the McLaren farm is 40 feet long, 30 feet wide 
and 20 feet high, and fifty or more persons may be seated on the 
top of this gigantic rock. 

H O L L A N D — The first settlement was made in this town 
in 1800, and it was organized in 1805. It is situated on the Cana- 
dian border. 

Holland pond, with an area of 600 acres, and several smaller 
ponds are situated in the northeastern part, their waters flowing 
into Canada. There is a small pond in the southwestern corner 
of the town. The fish caught include perch, pout, trout and 




U'/iecler Mountain through birches. Willoughby Lake, 
Orleans County. 




132 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

pickerel. There are several trout brooks. Mt. John is in the 
southeastern part. 

H. A. W. Taber, a bonanza king and United States senator 
from Colorado, was born here. 

I R A S B U R G — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1798, and it was organized in 1803. It was granted to Ira xVUen. 
his father-in-law Gen. Roger Enos, members of their families 
and others. In time, Ira Allen's wife held all but the public 
rights in Irasburg. After Allen's financial losses and death his 
family mo^'ed to this town, which had been named in his honor, 
and his son Ira H. Allen became its leading citizen. 

In the s})ring of 18'27, an ancient shirt of mail, much corroded, 
was found rolled uj) and lying l)etween two large roots of a great 
birch tree. There has been much speculation as to how this 
relic of an earlier age came here. It was purchased by the National 
Museum at Washington. 

Black river flows in a northerly direction through the center 
of the town, and Barton river touches the eastern corner. Kidder 
])ond is situated in the northern part. Pickerel, pout, and suckers 
are caught in the ]>onds and streams. 

Heman Allen, a nephew of Ethan and Ira Allen, was one of 
the first settlers of Irasburg. He was minister to Chili under 
Presidents Monroe and John Quincy Adams. Theodore Robinson, 
a portrait and landscape painter, and Judge John A. Jameson, of 
Chicago, were born in Irasburg. 

J AY — The settlement of this town was begun in 1803, and it 
was organized in 1828. It is situated on the Canadian border. 
It was chartered as Carthage but the land reverted to the State. 
Most of the town was then granted to the distmguished New 
York statesman, John Jay, and his name was given to the town 
in recognition of the fact that he had exerted his powerful in- 
fluence to settle the long-standing dis]>ute i)etween Vermont and 
New York. Part of this land descended to his son and was sold 
by him about 1840. ^Nluch of it became the i>roperty of Azarias 
Williams of Concord who gave it to the University of Vermont. 

The whole of the western part lies on the slope of Jay peak, 
one of the highest mountains of the State, which is the most 
prominent feature of the landscape of northern Vermont. It is 
4,018 feet high, and is six miles south of the Canadian border. 
The boundary lines of the towns of Jay, Richford, Westfield and 
Montgomery meet near the summit of this mountain. A mag- 
nificent view may be obtained from the jiinnacle of Jay peak. 
From this point one may see nearly the entire length of Lake 
Champlain, with the Adirondack mountains beyond, the Richelieu 
river from the point where it receives the waters of Lake Chamj)- 
lain until it empties into the St. Lawrence, the Montreal and 



Orleans County 133 

Ottawa valleys, the highest Canadian peaks of the East, including 
the mountains beyond the St. Lawrence, Lakes Memphremagog 
and Willoiighby, the Green mountain peaks, the Presidential 
range of the White mountains, the mountains around the head 
waters of the Connecticut, the Chaudiere, and Androscoggin 
rivers, and a great number of lakes and ponds, rivers and villages. 
Trout are caught in the small streams. 
There are asbestos deposits in Jay. 

L O W E L L — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1803, and it was organized in 1812. It was chartered as Kelley- 
vale to John Kelley, a New York land specidator. The name was 
changed to Lowell in 1831. During the Revolutionary War Gen. 
Hazen encamped here with ])art of his regiment while constructing 
the military road to which his name was given. During the War 
of 181 ^ the people of Lowell feared an invasion from Canada and 
a fort was erected here. 

Near the center of the town the Missisquoi ri\er passes 
through a hole in the solid rock at the foot of a fall in the vivev of 
ten feet. Norris, Hadley, and Belvidere mountains are situated 
on the southern border. The Serpentine mountains form an 
abrujjt elevation in the northern part. Walker's i)ond has an 
area of 100 acres. It contains trout and pout. 

Lowell is becoming famous as the center of an important 
asbestos business. There are valual^le deposits of that mineral 
in this town and the hamlet of Chrysotile is the greatest producer 
of chrysotile asbestos in the LTnited States. These asbestos 
deposits are a part of the vein which crops out a few miles away 
in Canada, where a great amount is jjroduced. It is believed 
that the asbestos business in Lowell and vicinity is capable of 
great development . 

M O R G A N — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1882, and it was organized in 1807. It was chartered as Calders- 
burgh, the name being changed later in honor of John Morgan, 
one of the grantees. 

One of the chief scenic attractions of this part of the State is 
Seymour lake, situated near the center of the town. This lake 
is about four miles long, nearly two miles wide, contains about 
sixteen thousand acres, and is said to resemble in rather a crude 
fashion the shape of a man's boot. This lake is fed by numerous 
springs. Its waters are cold and ]Hn'e and do not freeze as soon 
as those of Memphremagog and other bodies of water in this 
vicinity. Toad pond is situated in the northern part. The 
higher elevations include Bear hill and Elon hill. From the 
summit of the latter hill may be seen Lakes Willoughby and 
Memphremagog, many other lakes and ponds and the peaks of 
the Green mountains. There are several trout brooks in town. 



134 Vermont, The Laud of Giwii Mouiitaiiis 

The lake and poiuls coiituin loiige, whitefisli, pickerel, pout, and 
suckers. 

N E W P O R T — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1793, and it was organized in 1800. It lies on the Canadian 
border and was chartered as Duncansboro to George Duncan 
and others. The name was changed to Newport in 1816. 

Lake Memphremagog constitutes a portion of the eastern 
border separating Newport from Derby. With the exception 
of Lake Champlain, this is one of the largest lakes in this part of 
the country. It is thirty miles long and from one to four miles 
wide. Two-thirds of the lake lies in Canada. This body of 
water formed an important part of the route of French and Indian 
war parties in the early days from Canada to the southern New 
England settlements by w^ay of the Connecticut river. This is a 
beautiful lake and attracts many summer tourists. A steamer 
makes regular trips from Newport to the various points on the lake 
during the season of open navigation. 

Owl's head, 3,360 feet high, a little way over the Canadian 
border on the western shore of the lake, is a landmark throughout 
all this region. From its summit very extensive views may be 
obtained. Every summer a lodge of Masons holds a ritual service 
in a rocky cleft far up on this mountain. An Indian chief called 
Owl is said to have given the name to this peak. The Newport 
Yacht Club has erected a commodious and pleasant club house 
which is a headcjuarters for a large fleet of jjleasure craft. A 
branch of the Missistjuoi river flows through Newport, and Black 
river enters Lake Memphremagog in the eastern part. Bass, 
pickerel, lake trout, percli and other fish are caught in Memphre- 
magog. 

Not only is Newport noted for its beautiful location on Lake 
Memphremagog but it is also known as a busy and enterprising 
village. It is headquarters for the firm of Prouty & Miller, whicli 
is one of the largest lumber firms in New England. 

Newport is the home of Charles A. Prouty, for several years 
one of the most prominent members of the interstate commerce 
commission, and his brother, George H. Prouty, a former governor 
of Vermont . 

T R O Y — This is a long, narrow town on the Canadian 
border. Its length is eleven and one-half miles, its width on the 
northern border about five miles and on the southern border about 
two miles. The first settlement was made in 1799, and the town 
was organized in 1802. It was chartered under the name of 
Missisquoi, taking its name from the river that flows through the 
town. Later the name was changed to Troy. A fort was erected 
here during the War of 1812. During the Canadian rebellion 
of 1837 an invasion was made from this town. 






upper picture. Motor boating on Lake Meinplireniagog. 

Orleans County — Lozvcr picture, Bear, Ozvl's 

Head and Elepha>it's Mountains from Lake 

Mentphremagog. Orleans County- 



136 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

The Missisquoi ri\er in the northern })art flows over a ledge 
of rocks seventy feet high. This waterfall may be seen from a 
projecting rock, which has a perpendicular height of nearly a 
hundred feet. There are trout brooks in town and pickerel, bass, 
and pout are caught in the river. 

There are asbestos, iron and soapstone deposits in Troy. 

W E S T F I E L D— The first settlement was made in 1798, 
and the town was organized in 180'^. Nearly all the original 
grantees were citizens of Rhode Island. Many of the settlers 
left town during the War of 181'2, fearing an invasion from Canada. 
Others transformed Capt. Medad Hitchcock's barn into a block- 
house but no attack was made by the enemy. The old Hazen 
military road passed through Westfield. 

The Missisquoi river flows through the southeastern ])art. 
Phillips pond is in the northern part. The western part of the 
town is mountainous, a portion of Jay peak extends into the north- 
western corner. Trout are caught in ^Millard's pond. 

There are asbestos deposits in Westfield. 

Helen M. Winslow, the well-known Boston author, was born 
here. Senator Carroll S. Page is a native of Westfield. 

WEST ]\I O R E — The settlement of this town was begun 
about 1795, and it was organized in 1805. It was originally 
chartered as Westford but as there was another Westford in 
Chittenden county the name was changed to Westmore. Fertile 
farms were cleared and mills were built, l)ut when the War of 
181'-2 broke out the fear of invasion by British and Indians was 
so strong in the minds of people who remembered the invasions 
made during the Re\'olutionary War chat the town was entirely 
abandoned. INIost of the buildings erected were allowed to fall 
into decay and the settlements were not renewed for a considerable 
period after the declaration of peace. 

The notable scenic attraction of Westmore is Lake Willough- 
by, one of the most beautiful lakes to be found in this or any other 
country. It has been aptly called the Lake Lucerne of Vermont, 
resembling as it does in many respects the famous Swiss lake of 
that name. It is about six miles long, a mile and a half wide, 
and its ele^•ation is twelve hundred feet above the sea level. 

Standing on either side at the southern extremity of the lake, 
like giant sentinels, are Mounts Pisgah and Hor, the former 
'2,600 feet high, the latter has an elevation of 1,500 feet. These 
mountains rise up preci])itously, almost like huge granite walls. 
The Devil's Den is a great mass of rock partly rent asunder by 
some convulsion of nature. In the vicinity of this lake are found 
several varieties of plants which botanists have not been able to 
discover elsewhere south of the Arctic Circle. Lake Willoughby is 
very deep and is fed by springs. A fine road has been constructed 



Rutland County 137 

along the border of this lake. Artists of national reputation 
frequently visit this spot. The waters of this lake are discharged 
into Willoughby river, thence into Barton river and into Lake 
Memphreniagog. Just below Wheeler mountain, west of the 
lake, is a wonderful spring called Ponce de Leon spring. 

In the northern part are Bald, Haystack and Westmore 
mountains, the last named being 3,000 feet high. Long pond 
is situated near the center of the town. Trout are abundant 
in the brooks. Lake trout, land-locked salmon, steelhead trout, 
whitefish, cusk, and smelts are caught in Lake Willoughby. 



RUTLAND COUNTY 



B E N S O N — The settlement of this town was begun in 1782, 
and it was organized about 1786. It was named for Egbert Ben- 
son, one of the New York commissioners appointed to settle the 
claims of Vermont and establish the State boundary line. Most of 
the early settlers came from Berkshire county, Mass. A military 
road from Castleton to Ticonderoga, constructed about 1776, 
passed through Benson and over this road General St. Clair's 
army passed on its retreat from Ticonderoga in 1777. 

Benson is situated near the southern end of Lake Champlain. 
There are several small ponds in the northern part, including 
Little pond. Sunset ])ond, with an area of 300 acres, Pierce pond 
and Doughty pond. Root jiond is situated in the southern part. 
Hubbardton river flows through the town. In the southwestern 
part a stream issuing from a swamp passes under a hill of con- 
siderable size for a distance of more than half a mile. Trout and 
dace are caught in the brooks, and pickerel, perch, pout, and 
bass in the ponds. 

There are important slate deposits in Benson. . . 

Stephen W. Dorsey, a former United States senator from 
Arkansas, was born here. 

BRANDO N — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1772, and it was organized in 1784. It was chartered as Neshobe, 
a name api)lied to a part of Littleton, Mass., which was the boy- 
hood home of one of the grantees, Capt. Josiah Powers. The 
name was changed to Brandon in 1784. During the Revolution 
Brandon was considered a frontier town, the towns to the north 
being abandoned. In 1777 two men were killed by the Indians 
and several were taken prisoners. 

The Green mountains lie along the eastern border. Powell 
pond is in the nortliern part, and Otter Creek flows in a north- 



138 Vcruwut, The Laud of Green Mountains 

westerly direction through the town. Near Brandon \inage is 
a famous frozen well in which ice remains usually until autumn. 
About a mile and a half east of the village are two caverns in 
limestone ledges about half a mile apart. The descent into the 
largest cave is through a perpendicular opening about eighteen 
feet deep into a room sixteen or eighteen feet square. From this 
room a small passage opens into another room still larger. 

Brandon is a beautiful village, noted for its fine trees, Park 
Street having a double row of magnificent shade trees. A bed 
of bog iron ore was discovered here more than a hundred years 
ago and it has been worked from time to time, stoves and small 
cannon having been manufactured from it. There are also beds 
of yellow ochre and kaolin and extensive deposits of marble in 
Brandon. 

E. J. Ormsbee, a former governor of Vermont and land 
commissioner to Samoa, resides here. Stephen A. Douglas, 
United States senator, party leader, candidate for president, and 
Abraham Lincoln's great political op])onent, was born in Brandon 
one hundred years ago and his birth])lace is still standing. His 
grandfather was a member of the Vermont Legislature for several 
years. His father, a local physician, died suddenly while holding 
in his arms the future statesman, then only two months old. 
The lad worked on a farm until he was fifteen years old, and being 
unable to go to college was ai)prenticed to a cabinet maker. 
Later he emigrated to New York State and from there to Illinois. 

Thomas Davenport, the inventor of the electric motor, 
resided here. A bronze tablet to his memory was erected at 
Forestdale by the Allied Electrical Associations of America and 
it was dedicated September 28, 1910. Davenport was also the 
first man to apply electricity to the operation of railways and 
printing presses. Frank H. Knowlton, one of the most famous 
botanical writers of the United States was born here. Albert G. 
Farr, a Chicago banker, is a native of this town and has a summer 
home here. 

CASTLETO N — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1767, and it was organized in 1777. The original proprietors 
for the most part came from Salisbury, Conn. The name of the 
town ])robably was derived from a man named Castle, of whom 
Col. Amos Bird, one of the fountlers of the town, piu'chased a 
part of his holdings. Colonel Bird and Colonel Noah Lee were 
the first settlers. On his first visit Colonel Bird lost his way and 
going to the summit of a mountain in the ])resent town of Ira he 
spent the night there. He peeled bark from trees and exposed 
the white surface to deter wild animals from attacking him. 
This elevation is called Bird mountain. 

A road was cut from Cast let on to Colchester by the Onion 
River Land Company, of which Ethan and Ira Allen were 






Uff^rr and hnver [Pictures, Lake St. Cathcruic. Poulincy 
toivn, Rutland County. 



CT^ 



140 Vermont, The Land of Green Moiuitaiiis 

members. Castleton was the rendezvous for the attack on Ticon- 
deroga in 1775, with headquarters at Zadock Remington's tavern. 
Here Benedict Arnold demanded and was refused the command 
of the expedition. Col. Noah Lee was the prime mover in the 
expedition against Skenesborough, later called Whitehall, at 
the time of the taking of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. After 
the place was captured he was made superintendent of the iron 
works which were taken from the British. He participated in 
the battle of Yorktown and was present at the surrender of Corn- 
wallis. General St. Clair's army retreated from Ticonderoga 
to Castleton in 1777. After the battle of Hubbardton General 
Reidesel, commanding the Hessian troops, was stationed here. 
Fort Warren was erected here in 1770, and in 1781 a blockhouse 
was constructed at Hydeville. 

Lake Bomoseen, about eight miles long and two and a half 
miles wide, a lieautiful body of water, lies in a basin of rocks, 
the greater ])art of the lake being in Castleton. There is an island 
of ten acres in area near the center of the lake. In some places 
the water of the lake is very deep. This is a very i)opular summer 
resort. It is possible to drive entirely around the lake, and as 
this body of water is surrounded by hills and mountains, the spot 
is a picturesque one. Its waters contain bass, pickerel, perch, 
pout, and whitefish. Castleton river flows across the southern 
part. There are several trout brooks in Castleton. 

The Castleton normal school is located here. 

Congressman Chauncey Langdon was a resident of Castleton. 

C H I T T E N D E N— Chittenden is a mountain town, 
large in area, which was named for Gov. Thomas Chittenden, 
and was organized in 1789. It was chartered to Gershom Beach 
and others. Beach was one of the first settlers, and was detailed 
by Ethan Allen to notify a large number of the Green Mountain 
Boys that they were wanted at Castleton in 1775 for an attack on 
Ticonderoga. This exploit, performed on foot, in many respects 
was a more difficult feat than the more widely known episode of 
Paul Revere's ride. Another early settler was an Indian known 
as Captain John, who was with the French at Fort Duquesne 
at the outbreak of the French and Indian War, and on that occasion 
tried to shoot George Washington. Later this Indian became 
one of Washington's Life Guard during the Revolution. The 
old town of Philadelphia was annexed in 1816. 

The ponds include North and South ponds, trout and pout 
being caught in the latter. The streams contain trout. Caverns 
have been discovered in the mountains. 

CLARENDO N— The settlement of this town was l>egun 
in 1768, and while there is some doubt as to the date of the organ- 
ization it is known to have been as early as 1778. It is said that 



Rutland County 141 

the name was given in honor of one of the early settlers. Grants 
of this tract were made by both New Hampshire and New York 
and the })resent limits of Clarendon include portions of the two 
grants of Socialboro and Durham. 

The first settlers were mostly from Rhode Island and Connec- 
ticut and some of them purchased land of Colonel Lydius, who 
claimed it under an Indian title. Some of the fiercest controver- 
sies between the Green Mountain Boys and the Yorkers occurred 
in Clarendon. The settlement was mostly deserted after the 
battle of Hubbardton. The old Crown Point military road 
passed through Clarendon. Judge Theophilus Harrington, who 
demanded a bill of sale from the Almighty for the delivery of a 
fugitive slave, lived here and the State has erected a monument 
over his grave. 

Otter Creek flows through this town. Mill river flows through 
a deep gorge. Cold river descends from the heights of Mendon 
and Shrewsbury, and Tinmouth river crosses the western part 
of the town. Trout are caught in the streams. Clarendon cave, 
on the southwestern side of West mountain, is one of the natural 
curiosities of the place. The descent is made through a slanting 
passage two and a half feet in diameter and thirty-one feet long 
which opens into a room twenty feet long, twelve feet wide and 
about twenty feet high. By means of a passage three feet in 
diameter and twenty-four feet long the entrance is made into an- 
other room thirty feet long, twenty feet wide and eighteen feet high. 
This room is much lower than the first and is usually filled with 
water in the spring. The water stands in the lower part the year 
around. 

Clarendon Springs in the western part of the town at one time 
was a popular summer resort, when mineral springs were largely 
patronized. There are extensive marble deposits here which are 
worked, and marble from this place has been used for the New 
York State educational building at Albany. 

D A N B Y — The settlement of this town was begun in 1765, 
and it was organized in 1769. A considerable number of the first 
settlers were Quakers. A portion of Burgoyne's army passed 
through Danl)y after the battle of Hulibardton. A large boulder 
known as Tory rock, behind which it is said Tories used to hide, 
is a well-known landmark. ^Nlany Revolutionary soldiers settled 
here after the war. Thomas Rowley, the first town clerk, was 
known as the poet of the Green Mountain Boys. 

Danby mountain runs north and south through the town. 
Other peaks are South mountain and Spruce mountain. Otter 
Creek crosses the northeastern part. Danby pond is situated 
near the central part, and has an area of 300 acres. Trout are 
caught in the streams. There are scA'eral caverns in Danby, and 



142 Vermont, The Laud of Green Mountains 

one in the southeastern part is entered by an opening that looks 
like a well cut in the solid rock. 

FAIR HAVEN— The settlement of Fair Haven was 
begun about 1779, and the town was organized in 1783. It 
originally included the present town of West Haven. The town 
was chartered by Ebenezer Allen of Revolutionary fame and his 
associates. Fart of Burgoyne's army passed through Fair Haven 
after the battle of Hubbardton. 

The Poultney river forms a part of the boundary between 
this town and the State of New York. Eagle pond contains 300 
acres. Inman pond, containing about 100 acres, situated on the 
top of a hill about three miles north of the village, is fed by springs. 
These ponds contain carp, bass, perch, and pout. The streams 
contain trout and ])ickerel. A fine outlook may be obtained from 
Mt. Hamilton, north of the village. 

Fair Haven has furnished two Vermont congressmen, 
James Witherell and Matthew Lyon. Lyon was one of the first 
settlers in Fair Haven, and one of the most active of the early 
Vermont politicians. After he was elected to Congress he was 
sent to prison for a violation of the alien and sedition law. He 
was reelected to Congress while in jail and his journey through 
the State following his release was in the nature of a triumphal 
procession. Later he removed to Kentucky, where he was again 
elected to Congress. He was ajjpointed government agent to the 
Indians in Arkansas, and was elected as the first delegate to Con- 
gress from that territory, but died before taking his seat. 

HUBBARDTO N— The settlement of Hubbardton was 
begun in 1774, and it was organized in 1785. It was named in 
honor of Thomas Hubbard, one of the original grantees, who owned 
large tracts of land here. 

This town is best known as the scene of the battle of Hubbard- 
ton which was fought on the highlands in the eastern part of the 
town, on July 7, 1777. When General St. Clair's position at 
Tic-onderoga was made untenable by the British occupation of 
Mount Defiance the American army retreated through this town. 
Col. Seth Warner commanded the rear guard consisting of five 
hundred or six hundred Vermonters and perhaps two hundred 
Massachusetts troops. Warner's force was attacked by a British 
detachment probably three times its number, commanded by 
General Eraser who had been reinforced by General Reidesel 
and his Hessian troops. When first attacked in the early morning 
the American troops fought with great bravery, and Warner 
charged the enemy with such fierce courage that they were thrown 
into disorder but were able to rally when Reidesel's Germans 
arrived. Colonel Francis, of the American forces, was killed at 
the head of his regiment. Although overpowered by thejiumbers 





■chrs un the sliorc of Silver Lake, Leicester tozvn 
.Iddispii CoiDity, near Brandon fount. 
Rutland County. 



144 Vermont. The Land of Green Mountains 

of the enemy, the American troops fought for a time in Indian 
fashion from behind trees and thickets, but at length they were 
compelled to give way and Warner advised his men to take to 
the woods and met him at Manchester. Colonel Hale of the 
American troops who had charge of a body of invalids surrendered. 

The Americans lost 3''2J< men in killed, wounded and prisoners. 
The British casualties numbered 183 killed and wounded. Major 
Grant was killed, Major Acland was severely wounded, and the 
Earl of Balcarras slightly wounded. A marble monument, twenty- 
one feet in height, was erected on the battlefield in 1859. 

There are twelve ponds in Hubbardton, including Austin, 
Beck, Bresee, Black, Halfmoon, High and Beebe's ponds and 
part of Gregory's and Roach ponds. Part of Lake Bomoseen 
extends into the southern part. The highest elevation is Mount 
Zion, so named by Ethan Allen. 

The numerous ponds made this locality a favorite fishing 
resort for the Indians. Bass, perch, pout, and pickerel are caught 
in these ponds at the present time, and the small streams contain 
trout. 

I R A — The settlement of this town was begun about 1770, 
and it was organized in 1779. The shape of the town is nearly 
that of a double triangle, with the points of the triangle cut oflF. 
The long, narrow shape of this town makes it one of the most 
peculiar of any in the State. 

A large part of this town is situated on the Taconic range 
of mountains. Bird mountain, 2,500 feet high, is one of the most 
northerly peaks of this range. This elevation has an abrupt and 
precipitous conformation and is composed almost entirely of quartz 
conglomerate. Herrick mountain in the central part is 2,661 
feet high. The Castleton river crosses the northern part of the 
town. The mountain streams are stocked with trout. 

M E N D O N — The settlement of this town was begun about 
1792, and it was organized in 1806. It was chartered as Medway. 
Parker's gore was annexed in 1804, and the name was changed 
to Parkerstown. In 1827 the name was changed to Mendon. 

This is distinctively a moimtain town. Killington peak and 
Mount Pico are on the line between ]\Iendon and Sherburne. 
Several cold and clear trout streams are well stocked. 

MIDDLETOWN SPRING S— This town was 
formed in 1784 from parts of Poultney, Ira, Tinmouth and Wells. 
It was organized because this region, being surrounded by hills 
and mountains, made it difficult for the inhabitants to reach the 
towns mentioned for the transaction of town business. It was 
named for Middletown, Conn. The first settlement was made 
before the Revolution, but it was abandoned during the war. 



Rutland County 145 

Middletown Springs is watered ]\y branches of the Poult ney 
river. The mineral s])rings which have made tliis town well 
known are near the village and not far from the Poultney ri\'er. 
These springs were known to the Indians for their curative pro- 
perties. In 1811 a great freshet covered them with debris and 
their existence had been almost forgotten when another flood 
occurred in 1868, which uncovered the springs. A large hotel 
was built here, and at one time this was a favorite health and sum- 
mer resort. 

MOUNT H O L L Y— The settlement of this town was 
begun in 1770, and it was incorporated in 1792, being composed 
of Jackson's gore and parts of Ludlow and Wallingford. There 
was a considerable settlement of Quakers here in the early days. 

This is a mountain town on the height of land between the 
Champlain and Connecticut valleys. Beautiful and extensive 
mountain views may be obtained. The air is particularly good 
for diseases of the lungs. In the old stage coach days the route 
from Burlington to Boston, by way of Rutland, passed through 
Mount Holly, and it was said at that time that this was the best 
place south of Montpelier to cross the Green mountains. Mill 
river rises in this town. Jackson's pond is situated in the central 
part and contains 150 acres. Pickerel and pout are caught, and 
there are a niuuber of trout l^rooks in town. 

While workmen were engaged in building the Rutland rail- 
road in 1848, they found the tusks, teeth and several bones of an 
elephant in a muck bed here, ele^^en feet below the surface at an 
elevation of 1,415 feet above the sea level, and these specimens are 
on exhibition in the State museum at Montpelier. 

MOUNT T A B O R— The settlement of this town was 
begun about 1782, and it was organized in 1788. It was chartered 
as Harwick, but this name was so much like that of Hardwick 
that it was changed to Mount Tabor in honor of Gideon Tabor, 
one of the first settlers. 

This is a mountain town, and the Otter Creek rises here, 
liuffum ])ond is in the southern part, and has an area of 100 acres. 
Pout and trout are caught here. There are two mineral springs 
in ^Slount Tabor. The late S. L. Griffith of Danby laid out a 
private park here, built a road, a clubhouse and a fish hatchery 
and stocked the lake with trout. Several trout streams in town 
are well stocked. 

Henry ]M. Alden, for many years editor of Harper's 
Magazine, was born here. 

PAWLET— The first settlement was made in 1765 and 
the town was organized in 1768. Tradition says that Indian 
hill in Pawlet was the scene of a bloodv conflict during the French 



146 Vermont, The Laud of Green Mountains 

and Indian War, and natural breastworks of rock were used as 
a shelter from the enemy by a force, under the command of 
Israel Putnam. Troops were stationed here during part of the 
Revolution. During the summer of 1777 General Lincoln's 
headquarters were at Pawlet for a time. Colonel Herrick's 
Rangers were organized here, and it was in this town that Ebenezer 
Allen freed a negro slave. Fifty-nine Revolutionary soldiers 
settled in Pawlet. 

Pawlet is on the New York border and is divided from north 
to south nearly through the center by a range of high mountains 
flanked on the west by a lesser range while to the southeast there 
are Dauby and Dorset mountains. The highest peaks are South 
mountain, extending into Rupert, North mountain, extending 
into Wells, Middle mountain and Haystack mountain. The ^•iew 
from the summit of Haystack including the Green mountains, 
the Adirondacks and the mountains that encircle Lake George. 
the upper Hudson and Saratoga. The principal river is Pawlet 
or ]\Iettowee. Indian river is so called because the Indians 
formerly came here for trout fishing. 

PITTSFIEL D — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1786, and it was organized in 1793. Most of the grantees were 
from Massachusetts and Connecticut. It was named for Pitts- 
field, Mass., the first mills having been erected by a man from that 
place. 

This is a mountainous town, triangular in shape with a point 
extending south between Chittenden and Stockbridge. It con- 
sists of a narrow valley surrounded by hills. The highest ele- 
vation is Wilcox's peak. Two streams, one from the west and 
one from the south, unite in the central ]:»art to form the Tweed 
river, a tributary of the White. This river and several small 
brooks abound in trout. 

There are iron ore deposits in Pittsfield. 

Charles W. Emerson, founder of the Emerson College of 
Oratory in Boston, and Isabelle Catherine Greene, an author, 
were born here. 

PITTSFOR D — The first settlement was made here in 
1769, and the town was organized about 1770. The military road 
constructed by General Amherst from Crown Point to Charles- 
town, N. H., or Number Four, passed through this place. During 
the French and Indian War many New England soldiers marched 
through this region and were charmed with the valley of the Otter. 
This road crossed the river near the mouth of Stevens brook and 
this being considered the best ford on the stream it w^as called 
Pitt's ford in honor of William Pitt, the British premier.* The 
town received its name from this ford. 






c^^'^.r-^^ ^ 



Upper piciurc, .litto road along the shore of Lake 
Bomoscen, Rutland County — Loz\.'er picture, 
A group of Green Mountains. Sher- 
burne town, Rutland County. 



QOc:^^^»=> 




148 Vermont, The Land of Green Motintaijis 

The Vermont Board of War in March, 1779, resolved that 
the west line of Castleton and the west and north lines of Pitts- 
ford to the foot of the Green mountains be established as the line 
between the inhabitants of the State and the enemy. All settlers 
to the north of this line were ordered to remove to the south of 
it, the women and children south of the forts and the men to 
work their farms "in collective l)odies with arms." 

The inhabitants of Pittsford aided Ethan Allen in his capture 
of Ticonderoga. Two forts were built in Pittsford, Fort ]\Iott, 
on the east bank of the Otter Creek in 1777, and Fort Vengeance 
in 1779, on the upland about a mile northeast of the first forti- 
fication. Soon after the completion of this latter fort one of the 
garrison was killed by an Indian, and Major Ebenezer Allen, 
the commandant, vowed vengeance against every Indian that 
should come into his power. Dashing a bottle of liquor against 
the gate, he christened the fortress Fort Vengeance. 

Otter Creek flows through the central part. Sargent pond 
and Butler pond are situated in the western part. Pickerel, pout, 
and trout are caught in the ponds and there are several trout 
streams in town. There is a deep cave in the eastern part, in 
which ice is sometimes found as late as July or August. 

There are extensive marble quarries here and large mills at 
the village of Fowler. 

The Vermont State Sanatorium for the treatment of tuber- 
culosis, the gift of the late Senator Redfield Proctor, is located here. 

P O U L T N E Y— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1771, and it was organized in 1775. The first settlers came from 
Connecticut and western Massachusetts. Heber Allen, brother 
of Ethan, was the first town clerk, and Ethan is said to have 
lived here a short time in 1773. Several residents of Poultney 
assisted in the caj)ture of Fort Ticonderoga, and Ebenezer Allen 
is said to have been the second man to enter the fortress, Ethan 
Allen being the first. When Burgoyne moved southward the 
peoj)le were warned to leave without delay. Most of the men 
had been called away for the battle of Hubbardton and the news 
came while many of the women and children were attending 
Svmday worship in a log schoolhouse. In great terror they began 
their flight through an almost imbroken forest, expecting every 
hour to be overtaken by Intlians and massacred, mothers carrying 
or leading their children anfl hardly stopi)ing for rest or refresh- 
ment. Some found safety in Connecticut and others in Mass- 
achusetts. 

On a dark and stormy night in 1777, Maj. Ebenezer Allen and 
his Rangers climbed the steep slopes of Mount Defiance and 
captures! that important eminence which had been taken by the 
British earlier in that vear. 



Rutland County 149 

The Poultney river forms a part of the boundary between 
this town and New York. In 1783 the river changed its course 
during a freshet, cutting through a ridge and flowing down a 
steep ledge of rocks, making several mill privileges. In so doing 
it filled the East bay of Lake Champlain with sand so that at 
low water canoes could hardly float where vessels of forty tons 
burden had been navigated. Part of Lake St. Catherine, with 
an area of "2,000 acres, is in Poultney. This lake has been stocked 
with lake trout and also contains bass, pickerel, pout, suckers, and 
perch. Spruce Knob is in the eastern part and Mount St. Cath- 
erine is in the southern part. 

The slate quarrying business is the principal industry of 
Poultney and there are a large number of establishments here for 
the manufacture of roofing slate. 

Troy Conference academy is located here. 

In 18'26 a young lad about ten years old walked to Poultney 
from West Haven, where his parents lived, and applied to Amos 
Bliss of the Northern Spectator for a position as an apprentice, 
in answer to an advertisement. He was given the position and 
in this little country printing office this lad, whose name was 
Horace Greeley, took his first lesson in type setting. At a de- 
bating society held in the East Poultney school house he made his 
first speech. Greeley worked here for four years and two months, 
and one June morning in 1830, with his first overcoat on his arm, 
given him by Harlow Hosford, with whom he had boarded for 
two years or more, he started on foot for Pennsylvania whither 
his father had removed. Greeley remembered his Poultney 
friends with gratitude and kept up an occasional correspondence. 

RoUin C. ]Mallory of Poultney was a member of Congress, 
was chairman of the committee on manufactures for se^'eral 
years, and reported to the House the tariff bill of 18'28. 

P R O C T O R — Proctor was incorporated in 1886, being 
formed of }>ortions of Rutland and Pittsford. It was named in 
honor of Redfield Proctor. This town is located in a mountain 
setting. The village of Proctor originally was called Sutherland 
Falls. The Otter Creek here drops 123 feet within a short distance 
and furnishes three thousand horse power for manufacturing 
purposes. Sutherland Falls was named for Peter Sutherland, 
an early settler in this vicinity. 

Redfield Proctor was colonel of a Vermont regiment in the 
Civil War, a member of the Legislature, Lieutenant-governor and 
governor of ^ ermont, secretary of war imder President Harrison, 
and for many years a prominent member of the Lnited States 
senate. He visited Cuba shortly before the outbreak of the War 
with Spain and a speech he made in the Senate describing what 
he had witnessed in Cuba exerted a powerful influence in Congress 



150 J'cniiont, The Laud of Grcoi Moimfains 

and throughout the country. Redfield Proctor was the founder 
of the Vermont Marble Company located here, by far the largest 
marble concern in the world. This company owns extensive 
marble quarries not only throughout Vermont, but in ^'arious 
parts of the United States. It employs about sixteen hundred men 
in the village of Proctor, including representatives of twenty-three 
races. Its employees in Vermont number more than three thous- 
and and several hundred are employed outside of the State. It 
manufactures monuments and mausoleums and does an exten- 
sive lousiness in building material. 

Fletcher D. Proctor, son of Redfield Proctor, who succeeded 
his father as president of the Vermont Marble Company, was a 
member of the Vermont Legislature, s]>eaker of the House and 
governor of Vermont. Frank C. Partridge of this village has been 
minister to Venezuela, consul to Tangier, and served as solicitor 
general of the State department under James G. Blaine. 

R U T L A N D — The first settlement was made here in 
1769. The town was organized not long thereafter. In 1886 the 
towns of Proctor and West Rutland were set off and in 1892 the 
city of Rutland was incorporated and Rutland town became a 
separate municipality. An old Indian trail led through here 
which was used during the Colonial wars. The military road 
from Crown Point to the Connecticut river passed through 
Rutland. One of the grantees came from Rutland, ]\Iass., and 
probably gave the name to the new town. Rutland was a center 
of activity during the Revolution. In 1778 a stockaded fort 
called Fort Ranger, containing about two acres, was built at 
Center Rutland with a block house two stories high at one end. 

The Otter Creek flows through Rutland. 

Rutland is ])roperly called the Marble City. Here and in 
the towns immediately surrounding is centered the greatest marble 
industry in this or in any other country. Rutland is the second 
largest city in the State. One of its principal industries is the 
Howe scale works, which covers sixteen and a half acres. This 
corporation employs about six hundred men and sends its products 
to all parts of the world. Branch offices are maintained in the 
principal cities of the country. 

x\mong the residents of Rutland who have achieved distinction 
have been Israel Smith, congressman, chief judge of the supreme 
court. United States senator and governor; Solomon Foot, United 
States Senator and jjresident i)ro tem of the Senate; Redfield 
Proctor, whose career has been sketched in another place in this 
book; Wheelock G. Veazey, member of the interstate com- 
merce commission and national commander of the G. A. R.; 
George T. Hodges and Charles H. Joyce, members of Congress; 
John A. Mead, governor of Vermont and president of the Howe 





upper picture, Killiiigton Peak frotn Otter Creek valley, 

Rutland County — Loiver picture, Bird Mountain as 

seen from Lake Bonioseen, Rutland County. 




152 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

scale works; John B. Page, governor of Vermont; H. H. Baxter, 
at one time jiresident of the New York Central railroad, connected 
with the building of New York city's ele^'ated roads and with the 
early history of the Pullman Palace Car Company; Julia Caroline 
Ripley Dorr, one of the best known of American poets and a 
writer of novels and sketches of travel. Rear Admiral George 
W. Beaman, Edith Kellogg Duncan, a novelist who writes under 
the pen name of Margaret Woods, and Roberts Walker, president 
of the Rock Island railroad, were born here. 

The Rutland Country Club furnishes entertainment for the 
Rutland people and their guests and there is a good golf course 
here. The streams of Rutland town contain trout and other fish. 

S H E R B U R N E— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1785, and it was organized in 1794. The town was chartered 
as Killington, the name being changed later to Sherburne. 

The Ottaquechee and branches of the Otter Creek rise in 
this town, and these streams have been stocked aWIIi trout. 
Sherburne is situated in the heart of the Green mountain region, 
and two of Vermont's highest moimtains lie in Sherburne. These 
are Mt. Pico, in the northern part, 3,960 feet high, which was the 
late Senator Proctor's hunting and fishing preser\'e; and Killington 
Peak, the second highest mountain in the State, with an altitude of 
4,241 feet, in the southern part. Three trails lead up Killington, 
and a marvelous view may be obtained from its summit. Probably 
no finer or more comprehensive view of the entire Green mountain 
system may be obtained than that which the rocky crest of Kill- 
ington affords. To the east may he seen Ascutney, Monadnock, 
Kearsarge, and other White mountain peaks, and the Connecticut 
river, like a silver ribbon, winding through and adorning the 
beautiful green valley; to the south, Greylock, Anthony, Equinox, 
Dorset, and a host of other mountains; to the west Lake Cham- 
plain, Lake George, Lake Bomoseen, Mt. Marcy, and the noble 
Adirontlack range; to the north, Mansfield, Camel's Hump, and 
Jay peak, almost on the Canadian border. Rutland, Castleton, 
Woodstock, and a great number of other villages in addition to 
the great panorama of river, field and forest may be seen from this 
lofty elevation. 

The summit of Killington, which is a mass of bare rocks, may 
be reached by a climb up a steep, rocky stairway. A large spring 
of very cold water gushes out of the side of the moimtain about 
half a mile below the peak of Killington, on the Rutland side. 

SHREW SBUR Y— The settlement of this town was 
begun in 1777, and it was organized in 1781. The old Crown Point 
military road crossed the southern part of Shrewsbury. 

This is a mountain town, and Shrewsbury peak, 3,737 feet 
high, is in the northeastern corner, part of the mountain being 



Rutland County 153 

in Plymouth. Shrewsbury pond, or Spring lake, is in the south- 
ern part. It is clear and deep, and contains trout. Cold river 
rises in town, as does Roaring brook, which flows through a deep 
gorge, emptying into the Black river in Plymouth. There is good 
trout fishing in the streams. 

There are deposits of copperas in the southern part. 

Many persons A'isit the cemetery at Cuttingsville, where 
John P. Bowen, a wealthy resident of New York State, erected a 
costly mausoleum of marble and granite in the form of a Grecian 
temple. 

S U D B U R Y — This town was settled before the Revolu- 
tion, but was abandoned during the war. It was organized as 
early as 1776. INIany of the early settlers came from Connecticut. 
A favorite Indian camp ground was located near a famous spring 
known as Cold spring. 

A high ridge of hills extends north and south through the 
town. The Otter Creek touches the eastern border. Horton's 
pond or Lake Hortonia, in the southern part, extends into Hub- 
bardton, and is two miles long and half a mile wide. Hinkum 
pond. High pond and Burr pond are in the southern ]>art and Huff 
pond is in the central jiart. These ponds contain bass, pickerel, 
pout, and perch. Hyde Manor, one of the oldest and best known 
hotels in the State, attracts many summer visitors to this town. 

Edwin A. Merritt, collector of the port of New York and 
consul general to London, was a native of this town. 

T I N M O U T H— The first settlement was made in 1761, 
and the town was organized in 1764. A considerable number of 
the early settlers came from Salisbury. Conn. 

Tinmouth is divided by a range of hills into two parts, known 
as "East Town" and "West Town." Poultney river rises in 
the western part. Tinmouth pond, in the southeastern part, is 
the source of the Tinmouth river. Chipman pond has an area 
of 200 acres, and contains pout and pickerel. There are several 
trout streams in town. 

There are deposits of iron ore and marble in town. 

Nathaniel Chipman, chief judge of the supreme court. 
United States senator, L^nited States district judge and one of 
the commissioners who negotiated for Vermont's admission into 
the Union, was a resident of Tinmouth. 

W A L L I N G F O R D— The first settlement was made 
in 1770, and the town was organized in 1778. INIost of the early 
settlers came from Connecticut, the name being derived from a 
town of that name in that State. 

The eastern part of the town lies on the slope of the Green 
mountains. Excellent ^-iews mav be obtained from Green hill 



154 Vermont, The Land of Green Monntains 

and "The White rocks." Two of the scenic attractions are 
"The Eyrie," a region of ragged and precipitous rocks and tower- 
ing cliffs, and "The Ice Beds," so called because ice is found nearly 
all summer in the cavities of the rocks. Wallingford i)ond, 
having an area of 350 acres, is in the southern part. Little pond 
is in the southern part and Fox pond is in the northwestern part. 
Otter Creek flows through the western part and Mill river through 
the northeastern part. Crystal falls, on a small stream south 
of the village, attracts many visitors. There are many trout in 
ihe streams. The ponds contain pickerel, bass, and perch. 

There are marble deposits in Wallingford. 

The 1.5()th anniversary of the chartering of the town in 1761 
was observed by a pageant which attracted many visitors. 

WELL S — The settlement of Wells, a town on the New 
York border, was begun in 1768, and it was organized in 1773. 
This region is said to have been one of the favorite hvmting grounds 
of the Green Mountain Boys. 

Two ranges of mountains run nearly north and south through 
the town, the western range being about 800 feet high. There are 
two passes through the mountains. St. Catherine mountain is 
in the northern part and Pond mountain in the central part. The 
southern part of Lake St. Catherine is in Wells. An extension 
of this lake is known as Little pond. The lake and ponds contain 
bass, pickerel, pout, and perch. The brooks contain trout. 
There are slate deposits in Wells. 

WEST HAVEN— This town was set off from Fair 
Haven in 179*2. The Poultney river separates West Haven 
from New York on the southern border, and the extreme southern 
part of Lake Champlain separates it from the same State on the 
western border. At Fiddler's Elbow, a little north of Whitehall, 
N. Y., occurs a short and sudden curve in the channel of the lake 
where high rocks project into the water. Here Israel Putnam and 
his Colonial soldiers lay in ambush in 1758 for Marin and his 
French and Indian troops, and here a bloody liattle was fought 
by moonlight. 

There are several ridges of mountains in town. Bull moun- 
tain is situated in the southern part. Hubbardton river flows 
through the eastern part. 

Horace Greeley's parents lived in West Haven for a few 
years, and from this place the future founder and editor of the 
New York Tribime went to Poultney to learn the printers' trade. 

WEST RUTLAND— This town was set off from 
Rutland in 1886. It is an important center of the marble business 
and in no place can the visitor obtain a better idea of the marble 
industry than in West Rutland. Some of the most beautiful 



U'asliiin/li'ii L'o'mty 155 

ornamental marbles are quarried here. These include dark green 
veins on a creamy ground, light salmon tints with clouded effects 
of dark green and varieties resembling European alabasters. 

Aldace F. Walker was a native of this town. He was a 
member of the interstate commerce commission, chairman of 
the Interstate commerce railway association, chairman of the 
Western Traffic association, and chairman of the board of direct- 
ors of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Raih-oad. 



WASHINGTON COUNTY 



B A R R E — The first settlement was made in 1788, and tlie 
town was organized in 1793, It was chartered as Wildersburg. 
This name was impopuhir because, as an ancient record says: 
"The name of the township has ever sounded uncouthly to the 
inhabitants and settlers and is also disagreeable on account of 
its length." A town meeting was called to choose a new name, 
the principal contest being between Holden and Barre, advocated 
by men from these Massachusetts towns, and it was decided to 
settle the dispute by a boxing contest between two champions. 
Adjournment was taken to a neighboring barn, where the Barre 
champion won, and that name was given to the town. In 1894 
the city was incorporated and Barre town was set off as a separate 
municipality. Because the interests of the city and town are 
so closely interwoven they will not be considered separately here. 

From the hills in Barre town may be obtained extensive 
and beautiful views. Peck's pontl is situated in the southwestern 
part. The Barre Golf Club has a good golf course and a pleasant 
club house. 

Barre is preeminently a granite city. The ciuarrying and 
cutting of granite within the last few years has made this one 
of the most important industrial centers in northern New Eng- 
land, and its groA\'th has been steady and rapid. Barre is probably 
the largest granite producing region in the world. Certainly 
it is the largest producer of fine monumental granite. The num- 
ber of granite quarries and granite manufacturing establishments 
in Barre city and town number more than one hundred. Three 
miles southeast of Barre city is Millstone hill, a solid mass of 
the finest granite in the world. About two miles northeast of 
Millstone hill is Cobble liill, where there are other important 
quarries. The first granite shed was opened in Barre in 187'-2, and 
at the present time the world's finest granite monumental work 
is produced in the granite sheds of this city and vicinity. One 



156 Vcrvioiit, The Land of Green Mountains 

granite firm is said to turn out on an average one mausoleum 
every week during the year. x\bout 4,500 men are employed in 
the granite industry of Barre. The statue of Robert Burns 
erected in a public square of this city, and the panels in bas relief 
on the pedestal of this statue, present as fine a specimen of granite 
carving as can be found anywhere in the world. In addition 
to the direct output of the granite quarries the manufactures 
include granite cutting tools, granite polishing machines, derricks 
and derrick supplies. 

Goddard seminary, an excellent educational institution, 
is located here. James Fisk, a member of Congress and United 
States senator, was a resident of Barre. 

BERLIN — The settlement of Berlin was begun in 1785, 
and it was organized in 1791. 

This town is watered by the Dog river, a branch of the Win- 
ooski. Berlin pond, about two miles long, is situated on the heights 
above Montpelier and is the source of that city's water supply. 
Benjamin falls, on the outlet of this pond, consists of a series of 
beautiful cascades located amid charming forest surroundings, 
and attracts many visitors. There are trout in the brooks. The 
ponds contain bass, pickerel, pike, perch and trout. Fine views 
of the surrounding country are obtained from the higher portions 
of Berlin. 

D. P. Thompson, author of the "Green Mountain Boys," 
spent his boyhood days here. 

C A B O T— The first settlement was made in 178*2 by Ben- 
jamin Webster, an uncle of Daniel Webster, and the town was 
organized in 1788. It was named by one of the grantees in honor 
of his fiancee, a Miss Cabot of Connecticut. The Hazen military 
road passed through the northeastern i)art of Cabot. The party 
constructing this road camped on Cabot plain and erected a 
fortification on a nearby hill which gave to it the name Forti- 
fication hill. Lieut. Thomas Lyford, an American scout under 
Gen. Hazen, was one of the first settlers. 

Another of the early settlers was John W. Dana, whose 
mother was a daughter of Gen. Israel Putnam. 

This town is situated on the height of land between the 
Winooski and Connecticut rivers and commands a beautiful and 
extensive view of the Green and White mountains. The greater 
part of Joe's pond, a body of water of considerable size, lies in 
the eastern part of Cabot! Molly's pond is in the eastern part. 
These ponds are named for an Indian and his wife, who lived 
in this region many years ago. Coit's pond is in the northern 
part and West Hill pond is in the western part. There are good 
trout streams in Cabot. Bass, carp, eels, perch, pout, pickerel, 
and suckers are caught in the ponds. 





Tzuin Falls, Mt. Hunger, JVorcester town. Washington 
County. 



■r-SXP' 



158 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

The town contains granite deposits. 

Cabot was the native place of Zerah Colburn, a mathematical 
prodigy. He was able, at the age of six years, to perform won- 
derful feats with numbers and he was taken by his father to the 
large cities of this country and Europe. Rev. Emory J. Haynes, 
a prominent preacher and author, and C. Everett Conant, a 
famous philologist and lecturer at the University of Chicago, were 
born here. 

C A L A I S — The settlement of the town was begun in 1787. 
and it was organized in 1795. The name is supposed to have been 
gi^'en by Col. Jacob Davis, one of the grantees, and to have been 
suggested by the French seaport of that name. Calais is situated 
in one of the most remarkable lake regions in this part of the 
country. In Calais, in the adjoining town of Woodbury, and in 
several other towns in the vicinity, are a great number of small 
lakes and ponds, mostly situated in a beautiful mountain setting. 
Among the ponds in this town are Nelson pond, more than 160 
feet deep. Blue pond, Wheelock pond, Curtis pond. Bliss pond, 
and No. 10 pond. The surface of the town is hilly and extensive 
views may be obtained from the higher elevations. There are 
numerous trout brooks. The lakes and ponds contain bass, 
l>ickerel, perch, pout, suckers, and eels. 

There are granite deposits in Calais. Wareham Chase, 
who resided here, made some important discoveries regarding the 
use of the electric motor. 

D U X B U R Y — The settlement of this town was begun 
about 1786, and it was organized in 1792. It was probably named 
for Duxbury, Mass. 

The Winooski river separates Duxbury from Waterbury and 
Bolton. This is a mountain town, the loftiest peak being Camel's 
Hump, a part of which lies in the towns of Bolton and Huntington. 
Its height is 4,088 feet, being the third highest mountain in the 
State. It is more isolated than most of the Green mountain 
peaks and affords a more unobstructed outlook. The view of 
Lake Champlain and the Champlain ^•alley, which it affords, is a 
magnificent one. Almost the entire length of this l)ody of water, 
which stretches southward from the Canadian border nearly 
118 miles, may be seen from this lofty elevation. Beyond the 
lake may be seen the ])eaks of the Adirondack range. Killington 
and peaks farther south are visible. Northward the view ex- 
tends to INIt. Royal, abo^•e INIontreal, while the eastern \'iew in- 
cludes the White moiuitains. The broad expanse of intervening 
country is spread out like a great map. The Camel's Hump Club 
has erected a building near the summit, covered with steel, fastened 
securely by wire cables attached by iron pins driven into holes in 
the solid rock. This structure is considered fire, wind, and hedge- 



Washington County 159 

hog proof. A new and easier trail has recently been laid out to 
the summit. During the summer, tents may be rented at the 
camp maintained on the mountain and camp supplies may be 
purchased. Near the summit may be found two remarkable 
springs from which clear, cool water flows in large volume. A 
few years ago Col. Joseph Battell of Middlebury gave the summit 
of Camel's Hump to Vermont for a State park. 

EAST MONTPELIER— This town was set off 
from Montpelier in 1848. It is watered by a branch of the Win- 
ooski river. Kingsbury branch is the outlet of many of the 
Woodbury and Calais ponds. Fine views may be obtained from 
the hills. This is one of the most prosperous farming towns in 
Vermont. 

F A Y S T O N — The first settlement was made in 1798, and 
the town was organized in 1805. It was chartered to Ebenezer 
Walbridge, prominent in the early history of Vermont, and to his 
associates. This is a mountain town and affords the same attrac- 
tive scenery found in so many of the towns situated in the heart 
of the Green mountains. The mountain brooks contain trout. 

MARSH FIELD— The settlement of the town was 
begun in 1794, and it was organized in 1800. It was purchased of 
the Stockbridge Indians for 140 pounds sterling by Capt. Isaac 
Marsh of Stockbridge, Mass., for whom it was named. The deed 
of sale was signed by eighteen Indians. It is said that these 
Indians secured the grant intending to use it for a hunting ground, 
but the white settlers came into this part of the country so rapidly 
that the plan was abandoned. 

The town is watered by the Winooski river. Laird's pond 
is in the southern part. Knob pond is in the northern part and 
Duck pond is in the eastern part. Niggerhead moimtain is 
situated in the northeastern part. A striking feature of this 
mountain is a precipice 500 feet high, 300 feet of it being a per- 
pendicular cliff. A fine view may be obtained from the summit 
of this elevation. Niggerhead pond is situated at the base of 
this mountain. The brook forming the outlet of this pond de- 
scends in a series of beautiful cascades. At Molly's falls, on 
Molly's brook, the water descends 180 feet in a distance of 80 
rods, making a very beautifid waterfall, which furnishes power 
for the generation of electricity. There are good trout streams 
in town. The ponds contain carp, pout, perch, and trout. 

MIDDLESEX— The first settlement was made in 
1783, and the town was organized in 1790. Many of the earh' 
settlers came from ^Massachusetts. 

A portion of the channel of the Winooski river between 
Middlesex and Moretown is a natural curiosity. For a distance 



160 Veniionf, The Land of Green Moiinfains 

of about 80 rods the river flows tlnvjugii a rocky cliannel aA'eraging 
60 feet wide and 30 feet deep, the rocks aj^pearing like a Avall on 
either side. It is believed that in an earlier geological period 
a ledge at this place formed a barrier for a lake flooding parts of 
what are now the towns of Middlesex, Moretown, Montpelier, 
Berlin, and Barre. There are trout brooks in town. Bass, perch, 
and pickerel are caught in the Winooski river. 

In the southwestern part of the town, a range of mountains 
called the Hogbacks, rises abruptly from the banks of the Winooski 
and extends about twenty miles between Middlesex and AVater- 
bury and between Worcester and Stowe, and terminating near 
Elmore pond. IVIt. Hunger is situated nearly on the boundary 
line between this town and Worcester. It is said to have derived 
its name from the fact that in the early history of this region a 
party of hunters lost their way and remained on the mountain 
all night. Great precipices and ledges are features of this moun- 
tain. Very extensive views may be obtained from its summit. 

On the William Chapin farm, near Middlesex Center, on 
a high ledge, is a stone weighing many tons so evenly balanced 
that it may be rocked. 

MONTPELIER— The first settlement was made in 
1786 and the town was organized in 1791. It was granted to 
Timotliy Bigelow of Worcester Mass., and others. Among the 
grantees were some of Vermont's most famous public men, includ- 
ing Thomas Chittenden, Moses Robinson, Jonas Galusha and Ira 
Allen. Col. Jacob Davis, known as "the father" of the cown, is 
said to have named it after the French city of Mont])ellier. The 
State capitol was located here in 1805. 

Montpelier is situated in a cup shaped valley through whicli 
the Winooski river flows, and surrounded by lofty hills, its situ- 
ation is most picturesque. A fine new city hall was recently 
erected which contains the largest auditorium in the State. The 
Country Club is beautifully located a little way out of the city, 
a feature of which is its fine golf links. This city is a natural 
center from which many interesting points of interest for tourists 
may be reached easily. 

There are extensive slate deposits near the city. The present 
State House was erected in 1857. It was built of Barre granite 
and consists of a central building and two wings. The central 
building is surmounted by a dome and cupola, at the top of which 
is a statue representing Agriculture, the work of Larkin G. Mead. 
On the front of the building is a Doric portico with huge granite 
pillars. On this portico is a statue of Ethan Allen by Larkin 
G. Mead and two brass field pieces captured from the British 
at the battle of Bennington. On the lawn in front of the State 
House are two large cannon captured at the battle of ]Manila. 






-m 







^^^^^^^.-^^^ ^ 



i'ppcr picture. Trout stream near Berlin, Was/iiuf/ton 

County — Lozcer picture. A rural roadzcay 

near Morel oz^-n. Washington County. 



■r~ps> 




162 I'cniiont. The Laud of Green Mountains 

In the lower corridor are large jjortraits of Admirals Dewey and 
Clark and a marble bust of Abraham Lincoln, of heroic size, 
executed by Larkin G. Mead. Rooms on the first floor contain 
cabinets in which are exhibited the specimens of the metals and 
minerals, and the birds and animals of Vermont. The room 
occupied by the Vermont Historical Society contains many 
valuable relics, the most interesting perhaps being the old Daye 
press, the first printing press used in North America, north of 
Mexico. Upon this press was printed the first book issued in 
North America. The press was brought to Westminster in 1781 
and was used for jirinting the first Vermont newspaper. The 
reception room contains a large ])ainting of the battle of Cedar 
Creek by Julian Scott, covering nearly the entire wall on one 
side of the room. 

The Wood art gallery was founded by Thomas Waterman 
Wood, a former president of the American Academy of Design, 
who spent much time in this city. This gallery contains a large 
and valualile collection of paintings. The Kellogg Hubbard 
library is a beautiful granite structure which contains a large 
collection of books and periodicals. Montpelier seminary, a 
well-known educational institution, is located on Seminary hill, 
overlooking the city. 

Montpelier is the third largest insurance center in New 
England. Here are located the headquarters of the National 
Life, the American Fidelity, the Vermont Mutual and the Union 
Mutual companies. 

Admiral George Dewey was born in this city and his birth- 
place on State street is an object of much interest. The parents 
of Admiral Clark moved here while he was a student in the United 
States Naval Academy, and he came here frequently on vacations 
and furloughs. The intimate relations which Admirals Dewey 
and Clark bore to this city gave rise to the characterization of 
the Spanish-American War as "the war between the town of 
Montpelier and the kingdom of Spain." 

While United States Senator William P. Dillingham is a legal 
resident of Waterbury, he resides here most of the time when not 
in Washington. Samuel S. Prentiss, chief judge of the supreme 
court, L'nited States senator and LTnited States district judge. 
United States Senator William LTpham, and Congressmen Lucius 
Peck, C. W. Willard and E. P. Walton were residents of Montpe- 
lier. Charles G. Eastman, a well-known Vermont poet, lived here, 
as did D. P. Thompson, author of "The Green Mountain Boys." 
Other natives of Montpelier who have gained distinction are John 
M. Thurston, United States senator from Nebraska, now a prom- 
inent New York lawyer; William Pitt Kellogg, governor of Louisi- 
ana and United States senator from that State; James R. Spaulding, 
founder of the New York World; Charles M. Thompson, editor-in- 




<^^^<-'^^^ ^ 





Caiiicl's Ifiinif^ from M iddlcscv Gorge. Middlesex fozvii, 
II '(is/iiiii/toii County. 



CJ*» 



164 Vennont, The Land of Green Mountains 

chief of the Youth's Companion; Charles Kellogg Field, author, and 
editor of the Sunset ^Magazine of San Francisco ; and Rome G. Brown, 
a prominent Minneapolis lawyer. 

M O R E T O W N— The settlement of this town was begun 
about 1790, and the town was organized in 179^. 

The Winooski river forms the boundary line between this 
town and jNIiddlesex, and Mad river flows in a northeasterly 
direction. This is a mountainous town and excellent views of 
Camel's Hump and other peaks may be obtained from its hilltops. 
A great freshet occurred in that valley in 1830, in which two lives 
were lost. There are many well stocked trout brooks in town. 

Moretown contains valuable talc mines. The lumber business 
is one of the local industries. Matthew Hale Carpenter was born 
here. Gov. Paul Dillingham of Waterbury took a great interest 
in the boy, taking him into his family. Later Carpenter married 
Governor Dillingham's daughter. He studied law in Rufus 
Choate's office in Boston, went to Wisconsin, was twice elected 
United States senator, and was counted one of the greatest 
statesmen and greatest constitutional lawyers of his time. Rev. 
F. L. Goodspeed, a well known pulpit orator, formerly of Spring- 
field, Mass., now of Oakland, Cal., was born here. 

NORTHFIEL D— This town was settled in 1785, and 
was organized in 1794. It is the geographical center of the 
State. 

The principal stream is the Dog river, so called because a 
hunter lost a favorite dog on its banks. From Paine mountain 
an extensive view of the surrounding country may be ob- 
tained. 

Northfield is noted as being the seat of Norwich university, 
located here in 1867. This institution is the military college 
of the State of ^'ermont. It is rated by the United States gov- 
ernment as one of the six best institutions in the country to which 
military instructors are assigned. To attempt to enumerate the 
distinguished students of Norwich would require more space than 
can be given here. Such a list probably would be headed by the 
name of Admiral Dewey. More than 500 Norwich men served 
as officers in the Civil War and more than fifty in the Spanish 
War. The buildings of the institution are situated on a hill 
overlooking the village. The newer structures include Dewey 
hall. Alumni hall and Carnegie hall. A United States Weather 
Bureau station is located here. 

There are large slate quarries near this village. In the 
granite sheds in this village were cut the enormous statues for 
the Union station in Washington. 

Congressman Frank Plumley is a resident of Northfield. 
Charles Paine, governor of Vermont, and prominent in the build- 



irasliiiu/toii County 165 

ing of tlie Central Vermont railroad, lived here, (ieorge W. 
Brown, manager and treasurer of the United Shoe Machinery 
Company of Boston, was born here. 

P L A I N F I E L D^The settlement was begun about 1794, 
and the town was organized in 1796. It was chartered to (ien. 
James Whitelaw and others under the name of St. Andrew's 
gore, the name being changed to Plainfield in 1797. 

The Winooski river flows through the northwestern corner. 
There are several good trout brooks. The highest mountain is 
Mt. Truro, with an altitude of ^2,984 feet. One of the State 
forests is located in Plainfield, and from the highest part of this 
{property may be obtained an extensive view, which includes a 
great number of mountains from Jay peak to Killington. 

R O X B U R Y — The first settlement was made in this town 
in 1789, and it was organized in 1790. One of the early settlers 
was Ca])t. Benjamin Samson, who rang the c'hiu'ch bell on Lexington 
green on the morning of April 19, 1775, to arouse the Minute 
Men, warning them of the api)roach of the British troops. 

Roxbury is on the height of land between the Winooski and 
White rivers, and is the highest point of land on the main line of 
the Central Vermont railway. There are good trout streams 
in town. 

The State fish hatchery is located a little way south of the 
village. From the extensi\-e marble quarries here are obtained 
very beautiful verd antique marbles, which range from a light 
shade, almost an apple green, to dark green with white veinings. 

W A I T S F I E L D— The first settlement was made here 
in 1789, and the town was organized in 1794. It was granted to 
Gen. Benjamin Wait, Gen. Roger Enos, and others, and was named 
in honor of General Wait, who was active in the French and 
Indian War and in the Revolution. He was a member of the 
Vermont Board of War, and was in command of the troops along 
the northern frontier in 1781. Eleven of the thirteen earliest 
settlers were Revolutionary soldiers and six of the early settlers 
of this town were Minute Men at Lexington and Concord. In 
1906 a tablet was erected in memory of the Revolutionary soldiers 
buriefl here. 

This town is in the fork of the "Y" of the Green mountains, 
which is intersected by the valley of the Mad river. Bald moun- 
tain is in the eastern part. The brooks and ponds contain trout. 

There are deposits of slate and soapstone here. 

Roswell G. Horr, a prominent Michigan congressman, 
tarift* expert, and a witty campaigner, was born in Waitsfield. 

W A R R E N — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1797, and it was organized in 1798. Warren lies between two 



166 J\vi)ioiit, The Laud of Green Mountains 

ranges of the Green mountains and the Mad river runs nearly 
through the center of the town. Lincohi mountain, or Potato 
hill, as it is often called, is a high peak lying between Warren 
and Lincoln. Sugar Loaf mountain is in the southern part. Just 
south of the village is a natural bridge of stone about '20 feet in 
height, with an arch 12 feet high. The State has recently opened 
a road between Warren and (Jran^'ille through a gulf or wooded 
ravine which makes it possible to avoid a steep hill. This is a 
beautiful road through the forest, following a mountain brook, 
which will add much to the ])leasure and comfort of automobile 
tourists. The streams conlain trout. 

There are deposits of talc and soapstone in Warren. 

W A T E R B U R Y — The settlement of this town was begun 
in 178.S, and it was organized in 1790. It was chartered to Connect- 
icut and New Jersey people and was named for Waterbury, Conn. 
The trail followed by the Indians on their raids upon Deerfield, 
Mass., and Royalton passed through what is now Waterbury. 
The falls on the Winooski were called Indian falls by the early 
settlers and a hill in the northern part of the town was formerly 
known as Indian hill. 

Waterbury is separated from Duxbury by the Winooski 
river. The mountain scenery in this vicinity is su})erb, and 
Waterbury is becoming a popular resort for tourists, both summer 
and winter. An electric railway ojierates between Waterl)ury 
and Stowe, and most tourists who visit Mount Mansfield lea\-e 
the railroad at this place. 

The cutting of granite is an important industry here. The 
State hos])ital for the insane is located at Waterbury. 

United States Senator William P. Dillingham is a resident 
of this town. He is a son of Paul Dillingham, who was a member 
of congress and governor of the State. Senator Dillingham was 
governor of A'ermont before he entered the Senate. He has 
been chairman of the committee on immigration, chairman of 
the committee on privileges and elections and is a member of 
the judiciary, appropriations, and other important committees. 

He was chairman of the immigration commission and author 
of the Dillingham immigration bill. Congressman Henry F. 
Janes and (iovernor Ezra Butler were residents of Waterbury. 
Gen. William Wells, a noted cavalry leader of the Civil AVar, in 
whose honor the State of Vermont has voted money for the erec- 
tion of a monument on the l)attlefield of Gettysburg, and Gen. 
W. W. Henry, who has an honorable Civil War record and has 
been consul general at Quebec, were born here. 

W O O D B U R Y— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1795 or 1796, and it was organized in 1806. It was called Monroe 
for several years, being changed later to Woodbury. The latter 



f"^"******'iy"°WB?" 






upper picture , Camel's Hump cnid U'iiiooski vcillry. 

Washington County — Lozvcr picture. Benjamin 

Falls. Berlin tozvn, Washington County. 



& 



168 J'cnnont, The Land of Grcru Mountains 

name was given in honor of Col. Ebenezer Wood, one of the 
original proprietors. 

A nionntain in the western part affords fine views of the 
snrrounding country. This town is the center of one of the most 
beautiful lake regions of New England and there are twenty- 
three ponds, large and small, in Woodbury. Situated as they 
are in a natural setting of hills and mountains, this is a region of 
wonderful beauty. Some of the larger bodies of water are Lake 
Greenwood, Valley lake, Sabin pond. Cranberry Meadow pond, 
Pickett pond. East Long })ond, Nichols jjond. Buck i)ond, and 
INIountain pond. There are many trout in the streams and ponds. 
The ponds also contain bass, perch, pickerel, pout, and carp. 

Some of the most important granite quarries in Vermont are 
located on Robeson mountain, in this town. The Woodbury 
Granite Comjjany has constructed a railroad from these quarries 
to Hardwick, where the cutting and polishing is done. The 
Woodbury granite is largely used for building ])ur])oses. The 
com])any also operates large (puirries at Bethel. Within a few 
years this granite has been used in the construction of five State 
capitols and many public buildings, banks and office buildings. 

WORCESTE R— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1797 by two men from Maine and it was organized in 1803. 
The old French and Indian trail from Canada to the Connecticut 
river passed through Worcester. Hampshire hill, in the center 
of the town, was so called because most of the settlers in 
that vicinity came from New Hampshire. The Worcester moun- 
tains lie in the western part, near the Stowe border. Mt. Hunger 
is situated ])artly in this town and partly in Middlesex. The 
principal streams include Minister brook, which flows down from 
the momitains. and the north branch of the Winooski river, some- 
times called the Worcester branch. Wheeler pond is in the 
northern part. There are trout in the streams and the ponds 
contain pickerel and pout. 



WINDHAM COUNTY 



A T H E N S— The area of this town is small. Its settle- 
ment was liegun in 1779, and it was organized in 1781. It is 
watered by branches of Saxton's river. Lily pond, in the south- 
western part, derives its name from the great quantities of water 
lilies that grow here. There are trout in the brooks and the ponds 
contain pout and dace. There is a soapstone quarry in town. 



Jl'indluuii County 169 

B R A T T L E B O R O— Brattleboro is situated on the 
Connecticut river, eleven miles north of the Massachusetts 
boundary line. In IT^Z-l, Fort Dummer was erected in the south- 
eastern corner of the town by the colony of Massachusetts, to 
protect its northern frontier from attacks by way of Canada. It 
was named in honor of Lieut. Gov. William Dummer. A block 
house 180 feet s(|uare was erected here, which was also used as a 
tradiiiii' post. The site of the old fort is marked by a granite 
monument situated one mile south of the local railroad station. 
Settlers came as early as 176'i. The 150th anni\ersary of the 
settlement of the town was celebrated in 191''2 with a notable 
pageant. One of the early settlers was Rutherford Hayes of New 
Haven, Conn., grandfather of President Rutherford B. Hayes. 
The town was named for Col. William Brattle, one of the grantees, 
who later became a Loyalist and fled to Xova Scotia. The fossil 
tusk of an elephant was found in a muck bed of this town many 
years ago. 

The West vWev crosses the northeastern jiart of the town and 
Whetstone brook flows through the center. This brook contains 
trout. Near the center are Great Round mountain and Little 
Round mountain. Island park, on an island in the Connecticut 
river opposite the village of Brattleboro, is a popular pleasure 
resort. Just across the river, on the New Hami)shire side, is 
Mt. Wantasti(iuet, 1,.50() feet high, which affords a fine view of 
the surrounding country for many miles. A good carriage road 
has been constructed uj) the mountain. A fine golf course has 
been laid out for the Wantasti(|uet Golf Club. Brattleboro is a 
favorite stopping ])lace for automobile tourists and is the natural 
gateway to the West River valley, one of the most beautiful 
scenic regions in New England. The construction of the Vernon 
dam has set back the water of the Connecticut ri^-er, making a 
lake about twenty miles long, which furnishes good })oat!ng. 

Brattleboro is one of the most enterprising villages in norih- 
ern New England. The c-onstruction of the great Vernon dam, 
just south of this place, has furnished an alnuidance of electric 
power, and as a result large cotton mills, known as the Fort 
Dummer mills, have been constructed here. This town is also 
widely known as the home of the Estey Organ works. It manu- 
factures reed and church organs and pianos. The Carpenter 
Organ works, an im])<)rtant business concern, is also located 
here. 

Among the distinguished residents of this place are United 
States District Judge James L. ^Martin, former Congressman 
James M. Tyler, former Congressman Kittredge Haskins, and 
Dr. Henry D. Holton, one of the best known physicians in this 
part of the country. Chief Judge Royall Tyler of the supreme 
court, Avas one of the earlv residents of Brattleboro. He was 



170 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

one of the first writers of plays in this conntry. Congressman 
Jonathan Hunt lived here at one time. His sons, William Alorris 
Hunt, the famous artist, an intimate friend of ^lillet, the great 
French jDainter, and Richard M. Hunt, the well-known New York 
architect, were born here. Larkin G. Mead, the famous sculptor, 
began his artistic career in Brattleboro. On the last night of the 
year I80G, on a street corner, he constructed out of snow a beauti- 
ful statue t)f the Recording Angel, which attracted widespread 
attention, being much commented ui)on in the newspapers of 
the country. His sister became the wife of William D. Howells, 
the well known author. His son, William R. Mead, born here, 
was a member of the famous architectural firm of McKim, Mead 
& White. Other well-known residents of Brattleboro were 
Congressmen James Elliot and John Noyes, Frederick Holbrook, 
one of Vermont's Civil War governors, and Gov. Levi K. Fuller. 
A list of natives of Brattleboro who have achieved fame woidd 
include Robert Gordon Hardie, the famous painter, Mary Howe 
Lavin, and Hattie Brazor Pratt, well-known concert singers, and 
Prof. Edwin B. Frost, astronomer and director of the Yerkes 
observatory at Chicago. Rudyard Kipling lived in the town of 
Brattleboro for a few years. His wife was a Miss Balestier, a 
member of a Brattleboro family, and he built an Indian bungalow 
here called Naulahka, where two of his children were born. 

B R O O K L I N E— The first settlement was made in 1777. 
This town was incorporated by the Legislature in 1794'. It com- 
prises a valley six miles long and two or three miles wide, and 
derives its name from Grassy brook, which runs through the town 
and is called one of the best trout streams in Vermont. Fine 
mountain views may be obtained from the higher elevations. 

DOVE R — Dover, originally a part of Wardsboro, was 
organized as a separate town in bSlO. Most of the early settlers 
came from Massachusetts. 

Branches of the West river and branches of the Deerfield 
river flow through this town. There are several small trout 
streams. Many fine mountain views are obtained from the higher 
elevation. Several summer homes ha^'e been located here. 
Among the summer residents are Professor Flint, curator of the 
Har\'ard Geological museum, and Clifton L. Sherman, managing 
editor of the Hartford Courant. 

There are deposits of iron ore in Dover. 

DUMMERSTON— The settlement of this town was 
begun in 175'2, and it was organized in 1771. It was chartered 
as Fullum. The name was ciianged to Dummerston in honor 
of Lieut. Gov. William Dunnner of Massachusetts, one of the 
proprietors, John Sargent, born in this town, March 5, 1761, is 
said to have been the first child of Anglo-Saxon parentage born 




T]ic old (/rist mill ot DiiiniiuTstou. IVindluun County. 




CTS* 



172 I'crmoiit, The Laud of Grccii Mountains 

in Vermont. A majority of the inhabitants of Dnmmerston met 
on the vilUige green, Oct. '29, 17()4, for the purpose of organizing 
resistance to the authority of the King of England. Daniel 
Houghton, from this town, was mortally wounded in the West- 
minster massacre. 

The Connecticut river forms the eastern boundary of the 
town and West river flows through the southwestern part. A 
cascade on Furnace brook is one of the scenic attractions of 
Dummerston. 

Black mountain, on the left bank of the West river, is a huge 
pile of granite rocks. It rises almost perpendicularly from the 
water's edge to a height of 1,150 feet and the mountain opens to 
the south in the form of a horseshoe. In the northwestern part 
is a narrow defile called the "Valley of the Shadow of Death," 
through which the road to Newfane passes. Marlboro pond has 
an area of 500 acres and contains bass, pickerel, and i)out. There 
are several trout streams. 

Dunnnerston contains extensive deposits of light gray granite. 

The father of President Rutherford B. Hayes emigrated from 
this town to Ohio in 1817. 

G R A F T O N— The first attempt at settlement was made 
in 1768, but no permanent settlement was made until 1780. The 
town was chartered as Tomlinson. In 1791 the name of the town 
was put up at auction and sold to the highest bidder. The man 
who purchased the right named it for Grafton, ^Nlass., from which 
town he had emigrated. 

Saxton's river flows through the town. There are trout in 
the river and its branches. 

There are deposits of soa})stone here. 

John Barrett, American minister to Siam, Argentina, Pan- 
ama and Colombia, and now director general of the Pan-American 
Union at Washington, and Anmii W. Wright, a capitalist, active 
in the development of the timber and salt resources of Michigan, 
were born here. 

G U I L F O R D— This town is situated on the INIassachu- 
setts border. By the terms of the grant of 1764 the grantees 
were subject only to the control of the British Parliament and 
it was virtually a little rei)ublic for several years. The settlement 
was begun in 1761. The right of exclusive self-government was 
abandoned in 1776, when the authority of the Continental Congress 
was recognized and Guilford united with other ^ erniont towns in 
matters relating to the public welfare. At one time in the early 
history of the State, Guilford was the most po])ulous town in 
Vermont. 

For several years a fierce controversy was waged between 
the partisans of New York and Vermont. The friends of Vermont 



iriiidhaiii Coiinfy 173 

were sometimes excluded from the [)olls by armed force. Two 
sets of town officers were elected, one holding allegiance to Vermont 
and one to New York. In 1788, Gen. Ethan Allen was directed 
to call out the Vermont militia to suppress an insurrection here. 
Proceeding from Bennington at the head of a force of one hundred 
Green Mountain Boys, he issued the following characteristic 
proclamation: "I, Ethan Allen, declare that unless the people 
of Guilford peaceably submit to the authority of Vermont the 
town shall be made as desolate as were the cities of Sodom and 
Gomorrah." The Yorkers were pursued and dispersed and martial 
law was establishetl. It is said that some of the inhabitants 
considered that Ethan Allen "was more to be feared than death 
with all its terrors." There were other skirmishes later but most 
of the New York partisans fled from the State. Many of them 
settletl on land especially granted, much of their property here 
having been confiscated. Almost a whole New York township 
called Bainbridge was settled by these refugees. 

Green river flows through the western i)art of Guilford. 
The streams contain trout, suckers, and dace. East mountain 
extends the whole length of the town, north and south. Another 
important elevation is Governor mountain. 

Gen. John W. Phelps, who organized many Negroes as 
soltliers during the early part of the Civil War, was a native of 
Guilford, and lived here many years. 

H A L I F A X — Halifax is situated on the Massachusetts 
border and was settled in 1761 by emigrants from Massachusetts. 
It was organized in 1768. It is suj)posed to have been named for 
the Earl of Halifax, a member of the British ministry. 

The town is watered by the North and Green rivers. On a 
branch of the North river is a series of cascades extending for 
about a hundred rods, these falls varying in height from fifteen 
to twenty feet each. Overhanging rocks give a wild and rugged 
aspect to the scene. On the margin of the North river is a cavern 
twenty-five feet long, five feet wide and five feet high, called 
Woodard's cave or the Devil's Den. The streams and ponds 
contain trout, suckers, and dace. 

Russell J. Waters, capitalist and foimder of Redlands, Cal., 
and Francis Fisher Browne, editor of "The Dial," were born here. 

J A M A I C A — This town was settled in 1780 by emigrants 
from Massachusetts, and it was organized in 1781. 

Hamilton falls, on a small stream known as Cobb brook, 
attracts many visitors. These falls, about l'-20 feet high, are 
three and one-half miles from Jamaica village, on the road from 
Jamaica to Windham. When the water is high the sight is a 
magnificent one. Bald mountain is a rocky, barren pile, 1,765 
feet high. Aroimtl its base winds the West river. Jamaica 



174 Vcniiouf, The Laud of Green Mountains 

A'illage is situated in a deep bowl-like valley, surrounded by lofty 
hills. Remarkable mountain views may be obtained from the 
higher elevations. This town in 1912 voted to exempt from tax- 
ation for a period of five years any improvements amounting to 
$250 or more made on abandoned farm properties. As it con- 
tains many desirable sites for summer homes this offer is likely 
to a])peal to persons looking for such property. 

Peter R. Taft, President Taft's grandfather, lived in Jamaica 
about twenty years. United States District Judge Hoyt H. 
Wheeler was born here. 

LONDONDERR Y— This town was chartered by New 
York in 1770, under the name of Kent and was granted to Col. 
James Rogers in recognition of his services in the French and 
Indian War. The settlement was begun in 1774, and the town 
was organized in 1775. In 1778 the lands were confiscated, as 
Col. Rogers, the principal proprietor, was a Tory, and had left 
the country. The town was regranted by Vermont in 1780. It 
was named Londonderry by some of the first settlers, who came 
from Londonderry, N. H. 

The West river flows through Londonderry. This is a region 
of hills and mountains. Glebe mountain, 2,944 feet high, is the 
loftiest elevation in town. Lowell lake, situated at the foot of 
the mountain, is three miles long and one mile wide. This lake 
is 2,500 feet above sea level. This lake and Lilly pond contain 
bass, pickerel, ])erch, and pout. 

A writer in "Outing," describing a view from one of the 
mountain peaks in this town, said: "If one can imagine 
himself on the top of an immense wave in mid ocean, surrounded 
on all sides by the swelling forms of stormed and vexed billows, 
and if these forms could suddenly be congealed or rendered motion- 
less, he would have an adequate conce])tion of the scene upon 
which our trio admiringly gazed. Away oft" to the north of the 
range, upon one of the spurs on which we stood, trended away 
in ever changing and varied shapes until the more distant j^eaks 
melted tenderly into the cool gray of the clouds, and it became 
a matter of discussion which was ^'apor and which was solid earth. 

"To the east the undulations were less abrupt, but the eye 
wandered OA'er the contour of tlie billowy waves, resting at last 
on the far distant horizon, where the peaks of the White moim- 
tains cut the sky line and stood plainly relieved against the aziu-e 
of the heaven abo^•e. Looking southward, the landscape grad- 
ually assumed a more pastoral appearance, the extreme distance 
being bounded by the Holyoke range, sixty miles away, while 
westward the Green mountains surged and swelled in rocky waves, 
peak rising abo^■e peak, range above range, cidminating against 
the shadowy Adirondacks, whose ragged outlines alone separated 
them from the blue ether above." 



■V-.--'.- u 







.-,► i>ei* 



.^r 



'S- 



•■ i^^"^^ <\ '^'.<^- %4- 






•\w 







Guardians of the brook. 11 iiidhaiii Coiiiitv. 




176 J'cniiout. The Laud of Green Mountains 

The village of South Londonderry is the terminus of the 
West River railroad, a branch of the Central Vermont, extending 
from Brattleboro to this place. 

:\I A R L B O R O—The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1763. It was named for the Duke of Marlborough. x\t a 
town meeting held on May 22, 1775, the people of Marlboro voted 
that "we will each of us at the expense of our lives and fortunes 
to the last extremity unite and oppose the last cruel, unjust and 
arbitrary acts of the British Parliament." 

The principal bodies of water are North pond, Reservoir 
pond, each with an area of 100 acres, and South pond with an 
area of 300 acres. They contain trout, bass, pickerel, pike, pout, 
and land-locked salmon. There are trout brooks in town. 

There are deposits of soapstone in Marlboro. 

N E W F A N E— This town was granted in 1753 by Gover- 
nor Wentworth of New Hampshire under the name of Fane. The 
first settlement was made in 1766. In 1772 the town was granted 
by New York under the name of Newfane and it was organized 
in 1774. The name, probably, was given in honor of Francis 
Fane, a member of the British ministry. A party of soldiers 
from No. 4 at Charlestown, N. H., engaged in a fight with Indians 
here in 1748. This is the shire town of Windham county, and in 
the olden days a whipping post was a feature of Newfane hill. 

Newfane is watered by several branches of West river. 
There are trout in these streams. It is noted for its superb moun- 
tain views. From Newfane hill fifty towns may be counted. 

In the early history of Newfane Gen. Martin Field was a 
prominent lawyer and a leading citizen of the town and county. 
His son, Roswell M. Field, born here, went to St. Louis and it was 
said of him that he was the ablest lawyer at the Missouri bar. 
He gained a national reputation by instituting the famous Dred 
Scott case, which he carried up to the supreme court of the 
LTnited States. His son, Eugene Field, the famous author, spent 
a portion of his boyhood at the old Field homestead at Newfane, 
and many of Field's poems are based on incidents of his early life 
here. 

P U T N E Y — This is a Connecticut river town. A fort 
was built here about 1744, but it was abandoned on account of 
the hostilities between the French and English. The first per- 
manent settlement was made in 1764. In 1755 the houses of the 
settlers were built in a hollow square, making a fort 120 by 80 
feet in size. The town was organized in 1780. 

A magnificent view may be obtained from the sunnnit of 
West hill, which includes the narrow, deep valley of the West 
river, a large part of southern Vermont, southwestern New 



Hiiidhaiii Coitiity 177 

Hampshire and northwestern Massachusetts, the peaks of Mon- 
adnock, Haystack, Saddleback, Stratton, Ascutney, \yachusett, 
and Mt. Holyoke, and at least fifty towns. 

The great meadows along the Connecticut, embracing about 
oOO acres, are very fertile. The town contains deposits of slate, 
and fluor spar, a rare mineral. 

Congressmen Samuel Shaw and Phineas White were resi- 
dents of Putney. 

R O C K I N G H A M— The settlement of this town was 
begun about 1753 by men from Massachusetts, and it was organ- 
ized about 1760. Probably it was named for the Marquis of 
Rockingham, a member of the British ministry. 

In ancient geologic times there is said to have been a lake 
800 feet deep, above Bellows Falls. This town is situated on the 
Connecticut river. Near the southeast corner of Rockingham the 
river flescends forty-two feet within a short distance, furnishing 
one of the best water powers on the Connecticut. A large rock 
divides the falls into two channels, each about 90 feet wide, and 
when the water is low the eastern channel appears to be crossed 
by a bar of solid rock. Above the falls the channel of the river 
is narrow, being from sixteen to twenty rods in width. Williams 
river flows through the northern part of the town. 

This town contains the villages of Bellows Falls, Saxton's 
River, Rockingham, Cambridgeport and Bartonsville. Bellows 
Falls is one of the busiest villages in Vermont. Among the leading 
industries are several large paper mills and the i)lant of the Ver- 
mont Farm Machine Company. There are prospects of a re- 
development of the dam at Bellows Falls to make the power less 
wasteful. It is believed that from 10,000 to 1'2,000 additional 
horse power can be developed here. 

One of the oldest church edifices in Vermont is located here. 
It was built in 1787, and contains the old-fashioned box pews, the 
high pulpit and the sounding board. Vermont academy, a 
well-known educational institution, is located at Saxton's River. 
Congressman William Henry A\as a resident of this town. Mrs. 
Hetty Green of New York, a well-known financier, has a residence 
at Bellows Falls. Among the natives of this place who have won 
distinction are John B. Smith, governor of New Hampshire, 
Amzi L. Barber, a Washington capitalist and owner of extensive 
asphalt deposits, and Timothy E. Byrnes, ^•ice president of the 
New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co. 

S O M E R S E T— The first settlement was made in 1776, 
and the town was organized in lliH. 

This is a mountain town, Mt. Pisgah, in the eastern part, 
being the highest elevation. The Deerfield river is the principal 



178 Vermont, The Laud of Green Mountains 

stream. Chase pond is situated in the eastern part and has an 
area of TOO acres. There are several trout brooks in town. 

There are granite deposits in the central part. The lumber 
business is one of the local industries. 

A great reservoir for the Wilmington Power and Paper 
Company which is part of an extensi\e water power development 
scheme, is being constructed in Somerset. This reser^'oir, on the 
head waters of the east branch of the Deerfield river, is between 
five and six miles long and will enclose a basin of '-2,000 acres. The 
average depth of water will be thirty-five feet. The great dam 
is nearly half a mile long, or 2, '200 feet, to be more exact. It is 
constructed of earth like the famous Gatun dam at Panama. It 
is 600 feet wide at the base, tapering to a flat roadway twenty 
feet wide at the top. This dam was inspected at the request of 
Governor Mead by Alfred R. Noble, an engineer of the Panama 
canal commission, and pronounced safe. From 400 to 600 men 
are employed in this construction. This is intended primarily 
as a storage reservoir. The expenditures at Somerset will exceed 
$2,000,000 and the cost of the full development of the river is 
expected to reach $12,000,000. The development at this place 
will be about 1,500 horse power, but it is said that 80,000 horse 
power will be developed on the whole Deerfield system. It is 
expected that there will be other developments at Wilmington, 
Wliitingham and Readsboro. 

S T R A T T O N— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1784, and it was organized in 1788. It was settled principally 
by emigrants from Massachusetts who came shortly after the 
close of the Revolution. It was probably named for the Stratton 
family, Samuel Stratton having been one of the first settlers in town. 

The Deerfield river rises in the central part. Grout pond, 
in the southern ])art, contains 100 acres. Stratton pond is in the 
northern part with an area of 100 acres, and Jones pond contains 
an area of 100 acres. Both ponds contain trout. There are 
several trout brooks in town. From the top of Stratton mountain, 
which is 3,800 feet high, parts of four States may be seen. In a 
depression on a high ridge in the southern part of the town, 
separating the Deerfield and the West river valleys, far up on the 
side of a ledge of solid gneiss, 3,235 feet above sea level, during 
some prehistoric age, a pothole has been worn 10 feet 8 inches 
deep and two and one-half feet in diameter. The form of the hole 
is screw-shaped and it will hold water like a stone jar. 

During the famous jjolitical campaign of 1840 the Whigs 
held a great Harrison and Tyler rally on Stratton mountain. 
Daniel Webster was the principal orator. Although this was 
before the days of railroads, 15,000 persons are said to have been 
present. A feature of this rally was a log cabin 50 feet wide and 
100 feet long. 





J leaf strczi'ii roadzi'ay in Autumn. Jl'iudhani County. 



^:yos::p^ 



180 Vermont, The Land of Green Mountains 

T O W N S H E N D — The first settlement was made in 
1764, and the town was organized in 1771. It was probably named 
for Charles Townshend, a British statesman. The town of Acton 
was annexed in 1840. 

West river flows across the southwestern part. There are 
many steep and rocky hills in Townshend. The highest elevations 
are Bald mountain and Peaked mountain, and from their summits 
may be obtained fine views of the White mountains and a billowy 
mass of hills and mountains in Vermont and Massachusetts. 
Theodore Robinson, the Famous artist, has said: "From an 
artistic standpoint the grandeur of the scenery about Townshend 
is ecjualled only by that of the Hartz mountains in Germany." 

One of the early settlers of Townshend was Aaron Taft, 
great-grandfather of President Taft, who came here accompanied 
by his son, Peter R. Taft. Peter was then only a boy fourteen 
years old. Later he married Sylvia Howard, a member of a 
Townshend family. Here iVlphonso Taft, father of William 
Howard Taft, was born. Alphonso Taft walked from West 
Townshend to New Haven, Conn., to attend Yale College and 
walked back in vacations to save money. He emigrated to Ohio 
and later became secretary of war and attorney general in 
President Grant's cabinet and United States minister to Austria 
and to Russia. President and Mrs. Taft visited the ancestral 
home on an automobile trip through Vermont in the fall of 1912. 

O. D. Ashley, jjresident of the Wabash railroad, was born in 
Townshend. 

\' E R N O N — This town is situated in the southeastern 
corner of the State. A town named Squaklieag, including j^art 
of what is now Vernon, was granted in 1762 in the Province of 
Massachusetts Bay. In 1736 the Massachusetts Legislature 
made a grant of Fall Town and a strip of what is now Vernon, a 
half mile in width, was included. When Governor Wentworth 
granted the charter to Hinsdale, N. H., a part of this town was 
included. What is now known as Vernon was called Hinsdale, 
Vt., till 1802. That year the town instructed its representative 
in the General Assembly to have the name changed to Huntstown, 
but at the suggestion of his wife the name Vernon was substituted. 

Sortwell's fort, 38 by 20 feet in size, built in 1737, stood here 
for ninety-nine years. Bridgeman's fort, about half a mile 
south, probably built the same year, was burnetl in 1747. Various 
Indian attacks were made, several persons being killed and others 
were captured. 

A great water power has been developed on tlie Connecticut 
river opposite Vernon, which is one of the largest in northern 
New England. It furnishes power for Brattleboro, and for 
Massachusetts points. There are slate deposits here. Lily 



JJ'indhaiii County 181 

pond, in the western part, has an area of about 100 acres. There 
are several trout streams in Vernon. 

Congressman Jonathan Hunt was a resident of Vernon during 
part of his life. 

W ARDSBORO— This town was chartered in 1780 to 
William Ward of Newfane and others. Its settlement was begun 
the same year and it was organized in 1786. Robert Babcock, 
who was in the party that captured Sir William Prescott, com- 
mander of the British forces in Rhode Island, died here Aug. 'iS, 
1863, aged 104 years and six months, being one of the very last 
survivors of the Revolutionary War. 

Between Wardsboro and Dover is a high range of hills. A 
high bluff in the western part affords one of the finest mountain 
views in this ])art of the country. From its summit may be seen 
the peaks of the Green and White mountains, Ascutney, Monad- 
nock, and Wachusett. 

W E S T M I N S T E R— Westminster, in the Connecticut 
valley, is one of the oldest Vermont towns. Its settlement was 
begun about 1734, but it was abandoned, probably owing to war. 
The settlement was begun again in 1751. On October 19, 1774, 
a convention was held here and the delegates after declaring their 
loyalty to the King resolved that "they would defend their just 
rights as British subjects against every foreign power that should 
attempt to deprive them of those rights while breath was in their 
nostrils and blood in their veins." On November 30, 1774, a 
second convention held here adopted all the resolves of the Con- 
tinental Congress and the delegates bound themselves "religiously 
to adhere to the non-importation, non-consumption and non- 
exportation association." A third convention held February 7, 
1775, declared in duty to God, to themselves, and their posterity 
they thought themselves "under the strongest obligations to resist 
and to oppose all authority that would not accede to the resolves 
of the Continental Congress." 

Covmty court was held here under New York authority and 
under Loyalist domination. The })arty opposed to New York 
and favorable to the Colonies endeavored to prevent the sitting 
of the court and took possession of the court house. They were 
attacked by Tories on INIarch 13, 1775. William French was 
killed, Daniel Houghton of Dummerston was mortally wounded, 
and Jonathan Knight of Dummerston, a Mr. White, and Philip 
Safford of Rockingham were wounded. The patriots flocked in 
from the southern part of the county, from west of the Green 
mountains, and from Massachusetts. Probably five hundred 
men, ecpiipped for war, assembled here. The chief judge and 
other court oflicials were taken to Northampton and committed 



182 Vennoitt, The Land of Green Moiiiitai)is 

to prison. It has been claimed that the first blood of the Revo- 
lution was shed in the Westminster massacre. 

A gravestone was erected to William French bearing the 
following quaint inscription : 

"In memory of William French, Son to Mr. Nathaniel 
French, Who Was Shot in Westminster, March ye 13th 1775, 
by the Hands of Cruel Ministerial Tools of George ye 3d in the 
Corthouse at a 11 o'Clock at Night in the '2'2d year of his Age. 

"Here William French his Body lies, 
For Murder his Blood for Vengance cries. 
King George the third his Tory crew 
Tha with a bawl his head Shot threw. 
For Liberty and his Country's Good 
He Lost his Life his Dearest Blood." 

On January 15, 1777, at a convention held here, ^'ermont 
was declared a free and independent State. Here the first printing 
office was establishetl in Vermont, and here the first newspa])er, 
the Vermont Gazette or Green Mountain Postboy, was printed on 
the old Daye press, the first used in North America north of 
Mexico, and now the choicest possession of the ^'ermont Historical 
Society. Here Ethan Allen married his second wife, Mrs. Fanny 
Buchanan, the daughter of Crean Brush, a famous Tory. 

The village of Westminster is situated on a tableland about 
a mile in diameter, considerably elevated above the Connecticut 
river and the whole is enclosed by a semi-circle of hills. This 
village consists almost entirely of one broad street laid out during 
the reign of George the Second and called the King's Highway. 
It was originally ten rods wide and two miles long, and was de- 
signed to be used as a trainmg ground for a military company. 
Although now only six rods wide it is a beautiful old New England 
street . 

Stephen R. Bradley, of Westminster, was one of \"ermont's 
first United States senators. He was twice president pro tern 
of the Senate and was president of and summoned the convention 
which nominated James Madison for president. He was also 
author of the constitutional amendment reciuiring that the vice- 
president, like the })resident, should be elected by a majority of 
the electoral votes. Mark Richards and William C. Bradley, 
members of Congress, lived here. The latter at the close of the 
War of 18l!2 was appointetl agent of the treaty of Ghent to fix 
the northeastern boundary. Henry A, Willard, the famous 
hotel man, and long one of the leading citizens of Washington, 
was born here. 

WHITINGHA M— This town, situated on the Mass- 
achusetts border, was granted by New York in 1770 to Col. 




A leafy tunnel in Windham County. 




184 I'ciinont, The Land of Green J\Iountains 

Nathan Whiting and six other British sokliers, and the settlement 
was begun the same year. The town was organized in 1780. 

A range of hills runs through the center of the town, and from 
their summits magnificent views may be obtained. The Deer- 
field ri^•er flows through the western part. Sadawga pond, in 
the central part, bears upon its surface an island of some fifty 
acres in extent. This pond is said to have been named for an 
Indian, "Old Sadawga," who dwelt alone on its shores after all 
members of his tribe had gone elsewhere. Other ponds are Rider 
pond, Jacksonville pond and Roberts pond. These ponds contain 
pickerel and pout. Trout are plenty in most of the streams. 
"The Green Mountain Giant," called the largest boulder in New 
England, is situated on a flat rock in the western part of the town, 
500 feet above the Deerfield river. Its horizontal circumference 
is Vlo feet, its length 41 feet, its average width S'i feet, its cubic 
contents 40,000 feet and its weight 3,400 tons. There are other 
large boulders in town, one within one half mile of the Massa- 
chusetts line, situated on a flat rock at the highest point of Tenny 
hill, being much higher than "The Green Mountain Giant." 

Among the well-known persons born in Whitingham are 
Brigham Young, che Mormon prophet, and Brig.-Gen. Henry W. 
Closson, U. S. A. 

WILMINGTO N— This town was granted in 1751 by 
New Hampshire, and again in 1764 by the same State under the 
name of Draper. 

The settlement was begun in 1765 and the town was organ- 
ized in 1768. 

The east and west branches of the Deerfield river unite in 
Wilmington. The east branch forms the outlet of Ray i)ond 
which has an area of 400 acres. In the northwest corner is Hay- 
stack mountain, 8,46'-2 feet high. The view from the summit of 
this elevation includes all of Windham county, part of Windsor 
county and parts of Cheshire county, N. H., and Franklin county, 
Mass. One thousand feet below the summit Haystack ])ond is 
located, fed entirely by springs and having an area of 100 acres. 
The ponds contain bass, pickerel, and pout. There are many 
trout streams in town. The Forest and Stream Club have a clul) 
house here on a commanding and ])icturesque site. It is mostly 
frequented by business men from the large cities. 

James W. Locke, United States judge for the southern dis- 
ti-ict of Florida, was born here. 

W' I N D H A M— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1773, and it was organized in 1796. Until llQ'i it was a part 
of Londonderry. It was named for Windham, N. H. 

Windham is literally on "the roof of the Green mountains," 
and the altitude of the settled portion is from '2,000 to '2,500 feet 



Windsor County 185 

above sea level. It is noted for its pure air and its wonderful 
mountain views. The villages of Windham and South Windham 
are on the east side of Glebe mountain. From Cob]> rock, on the 
south end of Glebe mountain, may be seen seventeen towns in 
Bennington, Windham and Windsor counties. Turkey mountain 
is in the southern part. There are many trout streams in town. 



WINDSOR COUNTY 



A N D O V E R — The first permanent settlement was made 
in 1776 by emigrants from Enfield, Conn. The town was organ- 
ized in 1780. Originally it included Weston, which was set off 
as a separate town in 1799. 

The headwaters of Williams river are in Andover. Trout 
are caught in these streams. Markham's mountain and Mount 
Terrible are on the western border and the difficidty which the 
early settlers experienced in crossing these mountains was the 
reason for a division of the town. Moses Warner, one of the first 
settlers, and the leading sjjirit in early town affairs, married Abi- 
gail Markliam and it is probable that Markliam's mountain was 
named for this family. John Simons was one of the leaders in 
early town affairs, and his name was given to the village of Simons- 
ville. 

Alvin Adams, founder of the Adams Express Comj^any, and 
William S. Balch, an eminent Universalist clergyman, were natives 
of Andover. 

BALTIINIOR E — This is a small triangular-shaped town 
of about 3,000 acres which contains only a few inhabitants. 
When Cavendish was settled it was found that Hawks mountain cut 
off easy communication with the southeastern portion, and the 
Legislature created a separate town in 1793, which was organized 
in 1794. The summit of Hawks mountain is the boundary along 
the greater part of the Cavendish border. This moimtain was 
named in honor of Colonel Hawks, who encamj)ed thereon during 
the French and Indian War. One of his party was John Stark, 
afterward connnander of the American troojjs in the battle of 
Bennington. 

B A R N A R D — This town was chartered in 1701 to Francis 
Barnard and his associates. The settlement was begim in 1775, 
and the town was organized in 1778. Barnard sutfercvl from an 
Indian raid in 1780, and three men were captured and carried 



186 Vermont, The Laud of Green Mountains 

prisoners to Canada. After this raid a town meeting was called 
and it was voted to build a fort, which was called Fort Defiance, 
and was occupied by a garrison at different times for a considerable 
period. 

Barnard lies between the Ottaquechee and White rivers 
although neither stream flows through the tow^n. Silver lake, 
in the eastern part, having an area of about '-200 acres, is a beautiful 
body of water and attracts many summer visitors. This lake 
is supposed to be situated in the crater of an ancient volcano. 
It contains pickerel and pout. There are from thirty to forty 
small streams in town, many of which contain trout. The general 
surface of the town is high, and it is said that the sound of the 
cannonading during the battle of Bunker Hill, a hundred miles 
away, was distinctly heard here. A long, rocky ridge called the 
Delectable mountains, extends from the southern border nearly 
half Avay across the western part. Mount Hunger, situated just 
north of this ridge, derives its name from a tradition to the effect 
that two men named Eaton starved to death on its summit. 
This mountain affords a magnificent view of the surrounding 
country. 

On November '24, 1881, a panther was shot in Barnard 
measuring seven feet, six inches from tip to ti]) and weighing 
nearly !200 })ounds. The lumber business is an important local 
industry. 

The First Universalist church was organized in 180'2 by 
Rev. Hosea Ballon, who later liecame a famous Boston preacher. 
Edward M. Bowman, a well known organist and musical director, 
was born here. 

BETHEL— This was the first township granted by the 
State of Vermont. An association was formed in Hanover, N. H., 
in December, 1777, for the purpose of making a settlement on the 
White river and its branches, and in March, 1778, petitioned the 
Legislature of Vermont for the grant of a township to be called 
Bethel. This grant having been made, the settlement was begun 
in 1779, and the town was organized in 178'2. Almost the first 
thing the settlers did was to build a stockade fort. This fort 
is supposed to have been erected where the railway station now 
stands. Excavations in connection with the building of the rail- 
road brought to light relics that apparently were parts of the old 
fort. The building of this fort saved Bethel from the terrors of 
the Indian raid which resulted in the burning of Royalton. 

The White river flows across the southeastern part of Bethel 
and receives several tributaries from the northern part. The 
streams contain trout, suckers, and eels. 

The leading industry is the quarrying of granite, conducted 
by the Woodbury Granite Company. Tlae granite business has 
grown very rapidly here. From these quarries came the stone 




The Pine Ridge. Royaltoti iozvit. Windsor County. 




188 Vermont, The Laud of Great Moiiiifaiiis 

for the monolithic statues that surmount the central pavilion of 
the Union station at Washington, the work of Louis St. Gaudens, 
the sculptor. They represent Agriculture, Imagination, Mechan- 
ics, Freedom, Electricity and Fire. Each is sixteen feet high 
and weighs over forty tons. The rough blocks weighed o^'er 
eighty tons each. 

Miss Mary E. Waller, the well-known author, has spent 
much time here, and the scene of her famous novel, "The Wood 
Carver of Lympus," is laid in the vicinity of Bethel Lj-mpus, 
in the southern part of this town. Edson J. Chamberlin, presi- 
dent of the Grand Trunk railway, spent a considerable portion 
of his boyhood here. 

BRIDGE WATER— The settlement of Bridgewater 
was begun in 1780, and it was organized in 1785. 

This is a moiuitainous town. Moiuit Hope in the western 
part and Bald mountain in the southern part are the highest 
elevations. From Stockbridge to Ludlow extends a range of 
high hills with no break except where the Ottaquechee river flows 
through a deep gorge on the western border. The small streams 
contain trout. 

There are deposits of soapstone and green talc in Bridge- 
water. In 1851 gold was discovered in a quartz vein in a slate 
ledge on Mt. Hope. In 1853 a company was organized and a 
crushing mill erected, and in 1854 gold minmg was begun. The 
precious metal was not found in sufficient quantities, however, 
to make mining profitable, and work was suspended in 1855. Some 
lead ore has been found. 

Zadock Thom])son, the distinguished Vermont scholar, was 
born here. 

CAVENDISH— On the morning of August 30, 1754, 
the Indians surprised the post at Charlestown, N. H., known as 
Number Four, and took several prisoners whom they carried to 
Canada. Among these prisoners was a family named Johnson. 
The first encampment on their return trip was made in the present 
town of Cavendish, and here Mrs. Johnson gave birth to a daughter 
whom she named Captive. 

The settlement of this town was begun in 1769 by Capt. 
John Coft'een, and it is said that during the Revolutionary War 
thousands of soldiers received refreshment at his home while 
marching from Number Four across Vermont to posts on Lake 
Champlain. In the northwestern part of the town was a similar 
stopping place known as Twenty Mile Encampment, which gave 
the name to Twenty Mile stream. Most of the first settlers 
came from Massachusetts. The one hundred fiftieth anni\'ersary 
of the granting of the charter of Cavendish was observed in 19 1^2 
with an interesting and largely attended celebration. 





Upfcr pictiirc, A flock of Vermont Merinos, Jl'oodstock, 

Windsor County — Lower picture. The Arch 

Bridge, South JJ'oadstock. Windsor Coiinfy. 




.^^^g^^'^^^ 



190 I'cniioiit, The Land of Green Mountains 

The Black river flows through Cavendish. One of tlie striking 
features of this region is a deep, rocky gorge with precipitous walls 
through which the river flows. Probably an ancient lake existed 
above this gorge. About half a mile east of Cavendish village 
is Cavendish falls, where the channel of the river is worn down 
seventy-five feet, affording one of the most interesting examples of 
erosion in the country. Potholes have been worn in the rock, 
some of c-ylindrical form of from one to eight feet in diameter and 
from one to fifteen feet in depth. Others are of spherical form from 
six to twenty feet in diameter worn almost perfectly smooth in 
the solid rock. A little east is Prospect point, and passing down 
from here some fifty rods Eureka cave is reached, a spacious 
cavern formed by the action of the water in the mica schist rock. 
Less than half a dozen rods from this cave is a gigantic pothole 
about twenty feet above the river bed that will admit a dozen 
persons. Leaning over its western edge as far up and down the 
stream as the eye can reach may be seen gigantic boulders in pro- 
fusion and overhanging rocks with fantastic carvings, the work 
of erosion for unnumbered centuries. The Claremont Power 
Com])any in ])rei)aring this gorge for electrical development 
tunneled through 175 feet of solid rock. In developing these 
falls for commercial purposes many of the picturescpie features 
of the gorge were destroyed. Here '2,000 horse jiower is developed, 
much of it for use in Claremont, N. H. 

There are valuable quarries of serpentine a little north of the 
village of Proctorsville. When polished this stone is said to 
resemble Egyptian marble. 

Hawks mountain, in the southeastern ])art of the town, was 
named for a Colonial officer who had charge of the building of a 
section of the old Crown Point road. 

One of the first settlers of Cavendish was Asaph Fletcher. 
His son, Ryland Fletcher, became the first Republican governor 
of Vermont. A son of Ryland Fletcher, Henry A. Fletcher, was 
lieutenant-governor of the State. The present governor, Allen 
M. Fletcher, a resident of this town, is a member of this family 
but not a direct descendant of Gov. Ryland Fletcher. He has 
erected a beautiful home here. Richard Fletcher, a member of 
the family, was a judge of the Massachusetts supreme court. 
Another of the first settlers, Timothy Proctor, was the grand- 
father of the late Senator Redfield Proctor, who was born in this 
town, as was his son, Gov. Fletcher D. Proctor. Proctorsville 
was named for the Proctor family. Brig. -Gen. Daniel D. Wheeler, 
U. S. A., was born here. 

CHESTER— The first settlement was made in 1704. 
The first charter was granted by New Hampshire in 1751' under 
the name of Flamstead, but no settlements were made under it. 



U'iiidsor County 191 

Another charter was granted in 1761, nnder tlie name of New 
Flamstead, and settlements nnder this charter were made by 
colonists from Massachusetts. In 1766 a charter was issued 
by New York under the name of Chester, and luider this charter 
the lands are now held. This became the shire town of the county 
of Cumberland, organized by New York. Daniel Heald, one 
of the early settlers, a soldier in the battle at Concord Bridge, be- 
came a prominent citizen and lived to be ninety-five years old. 
Col. Thomas Chandler of Chester, who was instrumental in 
getting a third charter, was considered in some measure respon- 
sible for the Westminster massacre. His son, Thomas Chandler, 
Jr., was the first secretary of state of Vermont. 

Chester is one of the largest towns in Vermont in point of 
area. Three streams unite here to form the Williams river. The 
streets of the village of Chester are adorned by a double row of 
fine elms and maples. 

Franklin Edson, formerly mayor of New York City, and 
Daniel A. Heald, president of the Home Insurance Company of 
New York, were born here. 

HARTFORD— The first settlement was made in 1764 
by three families from Lebanon, Conn., and the town was organ- 
ized in 1768. Hartford was the first town east of the Green 
mountains granted by New Hampshire after the French and 
Indian War. 

Hartford is situated on the Connecticut r'ner, the valley 
of which is very beautiful here. The White river flows across the 
northern part through ])icturesque surroundings. The Otta- 
cpiechee river flows through the southern part. Just south of 
Dewey's ^lills the river flows through the celebrated Quechee 
gulf, three-fourths of a mile long, which is a very interesting 
natural curiosity. Here the stream is confined between high, 
rocky walls. The bridge on the Woodstock railroad over this 
gulf is 165 feet above the water, and it is said to be the highest 
railway bridge in New England. At the head of this gulf, or 
chasm, are fi^•e clearly defined terraces. The White ri\er contains 
trout and bass. 

The i)rincipal village is White River Junction, which is an 
important railroad center. The State fair grounds are located 
just above the village. The road from this village to Mont- 
pelier is one of the best automobile highways in New England. 

Ex-Gov. Samuel E. Pingree is a resident of Hartford. 
Congressmen William Strong and George E. Wales were residents 
of this town. Gen. William B. Hazen, scientist and for many 
years chief signal service officer for the United States Army, was 
born at West Hartford. Henry F. Merrill, commissioner of 
customs for the Chinese go\'ernment, was born at White River 
Junction. 



192 Vcnuoni, The Laud of Green Mountains 

H A R T L A X D — The first settlement was made here in 
1763, and the town was organized in 1767. It was cliartered as 
Hertford, the name being changed to Harthmd in 178*2. The 
first settler was Timothy Lull, who brought his family up the Con- 
necticut river from Dummerston in a log canoe. Arriving at the 
mouth of a large brook he broke a bottle of liquor and christened 
the stream Lull's brook, by which name it has since been known. 
This brook and others contain trout. Most of the early settlers 
were from Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

The Connecticut ri\er forms the eastern })oundary. The 
Ottaquechee river flows through the northern part of the town. 

Daniel Willard, president of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, 
was born here. 

L U D L O \V— The first settlement was made in 1784 or 
1785 by Josiah and Jesse Fletcher, Simeon Reed and James 
Whitney from ^Massachusetts. Jesse Fletcher was the grand- 
father of Gov. Allen M. Fletcher. 

The lioundary between Ludlow and Mt. Holly is a ridge of 
highlands which separates Windsor and Rutland counties. One 
of the higher ])eaks is Mt. Okemo. Black river flows through the 
town, and in the upper part of its course the stream widens into 
four large basins known as the Ludlow and Plymouth ponds. 
The Ludlow {>onds are Corporation pond, Rescue lake and Round 
pond. There are many cottages around Rescue lake. The ponds 
contain bass, pickerel, pike, pout, and dace. There are several 
trout brooks. A portion of this town evidently once was the bed 
of an ancient lake. 

Ex-Gov. William W. Stickney is a resident of Ludlow. Rich- 
ard F. Pettigrew, formerly United States senator from South 
Dakota, Alanson W. Beard, twice collector of the })ort of Boston, 
and Edward K. Warren, a ])rominent Chicago banker and manu- 
facturer, were born here. 

N O R W I C H — The settlement of this town was begun in 
1763 by emigrants from Connecticut, and it was organized in 1768. 
The Om])ompanoosuc river crosses the northeastern part. The 
Connecticut river forms the eastern boundary. An Indian burial 
ground was situated on the banks of the Connecticut a little way 
above the mouth of the Ompompanoosuc. Bloody brook rises 
in the northwestern part of the town and flows into the Connecti- 
cut. It is said to have derived its name from a l)attle fought 
on the stream dm-ing the French and Indian War. The streams 
contain liass and suckers. 

Beds of iron ore have been found in the northwestern part 
and cop])er deposits in the northeastern part. 

Congressman Daniel Buck was a resident of Norwich. Three 
well-known naval officers, Rear Admiral George P. Colvocoresses, 





.^^^^^.r^^^ ^ 





L'ppcr picture. A pictiircscjiic drive, Chester, JVindsor 

County — Lozi'cr picture. Branch of the White 

River, Bethel, Windsor County. 



CPC 



194 J'cnnoiit. Tl,c Land of Green Mountains 

Rear Admiral George A. Converse and Rear Admiral Stephen 
Rand were born here. Philip Hale, the musical critic, is a native 
of Norwich. 

P L Y M O U T H— The first settlement was made in 1777, 
and the town probably was organized in 1787. It was originally 
chartered as Saltash, but the name was changed in 1797 to Ply- 
mouth. The old military road from C^-own Point to the Con- 
necticut river passes through the southern part. 

The surface of the town is hilly and rocky with deep gorges 
caused by erosion. Black river and two branches of the Otta- 
quechee rise here. Several springs high up on the mountain side 
form a small stream called Split brook. In its course down the 
mountain this brook strikes a rock that divides the stream, half 
of which runs north and helps form the Otcaquechee river, and 
half flows south and becomes a part of the Black river. Echo 
lake and Lake Amherst are in the southern part and Reading 
pond touches the eastern border. The jionds contain a varietv 
of fish. 

At the foot of JNIt. Tom, on the southwest side of the Black 
river about fifty rods from that stream, are the Plymouth caves. 
These are excavations in the limestone rock caused by running 
water. The ])assage into the cavern is about the size of a common 
well, and is about ten feet deep. This leads into the first room, 
oval in form, 30 feet long, '-20 feet wide, and 15 feet at its greatest 
height. A broad sloping passage leads to the second room, about 
half as large as the first, the bottom being the lowest part of the 
cave and about '■25 feet below the surface. The passage into the 
third room is 4 feet wide and 5 feet high, and this room is 13 
feet long, 8 feet wide, and 7 feet high. The fourth room is 30 feet 
long, li feet wide and 18 feet high. The sides incline toward 
each other, meeting at the top like the roof of a house. A passage 
from the third room into the fifth room is barely large enough to 
permit a i)erson to crawl through. The room is shaped like an 
oven and is 10 feet long, 7 feet wide and 4 feet high. From the 
north side of the second room are two openings leading respectively 
to the sixth and seventh rooms, each of which is about 15 feet 
long, 7 feet wide and 5 feet high. When discovered in 1818 the 
roof and sides were beautifully adorned with stalactites and the 
floor with corresponding stalagmites, but these were carried away 
as souvenirs long ago. The temperature in the cave varies 
little from winter to summer remaining at about 443^2 degrees. 
West of this cavern is a smaller cave, diffic-ult to enter or emerge 
from. 

In 1837 Isaac Tyson, of Baltimore, established iron works at 
what was formerly known as Tyson Furnace, now known as Tyson. 
Several gold mining enterprises ha\e l^een organized in town and 



Jl'iiidsor Comity 195 

some gold has been t'ouiul. There are also deposits of copper 
in Plymouth. 

POM FRET— This town was settled in 1770 by emi- 
grants from Connecticut and it was organized in 177.S. It was 
probably named for Pomfret, Conn., where many of the pro- 
prietors resided. 

White river crosses the northeastern corner, and the Otta- 
quechee river flows through the southeastern part. Several 
small brooks contain trout. A high ridge extends through the 
town from northwest to southeast and in some places reaching an 
elevation of '2, (MM) feet. 

The Pomfret library, the gift of Hon. Ira A. Abl)ott, justice 
of the New Mexico su])renie court, is a center of the community 
life of the town, and contains many interesting historical relics. 

Judah Dana, a United States senator from Maine, Gen. 
Rush C. Hawkins of New York, Elmer B. Adams of St. Louis, 
a United States circuit judge, and Henry H. \ ail, a prominent 
school book publisher, were born here. 

R E A D I N G — The first settlement was made in 1772, and 
the town was organized in 1780. In this town has been erected 
memorials designed to mark the site of the encampment of the 
party of Indians which attacked Number Four, a fort at Charles- 
town, N. H., and the place where Mrs. James Johnson, one of the 
prisoners, gave birth to a daughter whom she named Captive. 
These historic s])ots really are located just over the line in Caven- 
dish. The surface is uneven and the elevation is rather alirupt. 
Owing to its elevation, all the streams flow out of the town, none 
flowing in. Mill river and several brooks contain trout. The 
village of Felchville, situated in the southeastern pai*t, was named 
for William Felch, a prominent citizen. 

Albert A. Robinson, vice-i)resident and general manager of the 
Atchison, Tojjeka & Sante Fe railroad, and president of the Mex- 
ican Central, was born here. 

ROCHESTE R — This town, irregular in shape and large 
in area, is situated in the northwestern part of Windsor county. 
It was granted by the Legislature of Vermont in 1780. Portions 
of Pittsfield, Goslien, and Hancock were annexed on account of 
mountain barriers which shut off these portions from their re- 
spective towns. The settlement was begun about the close of the 
Revolutionary War. 

Rochester is a mountain town and its scenery is very pictur- 
esque. White river valley is a most enchanting spot, surrounded 
as it is by mountains. There are good trout streams in this region. 
Rochester mountain extends north and south across the eastern 
part of the townshij). Some of the wildest and most rugged 



196 I'cnnont, The Laud of Green Mountains 

scenery in the State may be found in the vicinity of Mt. Horrid, 
situated between Rochester and Goshen. The "Old Man of 
the ^Mountain," the "Giant Haystack," needle point rocks and 
table rocks are features of this place. There are many caverns 
here, and snowballing has been indulged in on July 6, the snow 
being obtained from the depths of some of these rocky caverns. 
This mountain is a nesting place for hawks and other wild birds, 
and rare plants are found here. 

Rochester village, a thriving community, is the terminus of 
the White River railroad. There is an important talc minmg 
industry here and large lumber mills. There are granite deposits 
in Rochester. 

R O Y A L T O N— This town was chartered by New York 
in 1769, and under that charter settlements were begun in 1771. 
It was chartered by Vermont in 1781. On October 16, 1780, 
before dawn, a force of '-200 Indians and a few Tories invaded the 
town, killed some of the inhabitants, captured others, burned 
twenty-one houses and sixteen barns, slaughtered 150 head of 
cattle, in addition to sheep and swine, and made their escape. A 
monument has been erected commemorating this event. 

The White river flows through the northern part. South 
Royalton is the principal village. 

Dudley C. Denison, a resident of Royalton, was a member of 
Congress. 

SHARON — The first settlement was made in 176o by 
emigrants from Connecticut and the town was organized in 1768. 

The White river flows through the town. This river and 
many brooks contain trout. Standing pond and Bush }K)nd are 
in the northern part. 

Rev. Charles Parkliurst, for many years editor of Zion's 
Herald, was born here. A monument erected to Joseph Smith, 
the Mormon prophet, on the site of his birthplace, attracts many 
visitors. It is 38}^ feet high, exclusive of the base, and weighs 
45 tons. At the time of its erection it was said to be the largest 
polished granite monolith in America. It bears this inscription: 
"Sacred to the memory of Joseph Smith, the prophet, born here 
23 December, 1805, Martyred Carthage, Illinois, 27 June, 1844." 
This monument is situated on the crest of a hill from which 
beautiful views may be obtained toward the west and south. 

SPRINGFIEL D— The first settlement was made in 
1752, and the town was organized in 1764. It was granted by 
New Hampshire in 1761, and recliartered by New York in 1762. 

The surface is broken and rugged. The Connecticut river 
forms the eastern boundary. The Black river flows diagonally 
across Springfield from northwest to southeast. In crossing the 





c^g^'^-^^ ^ 





upper picture. Elm trees on BiH'iu/s' Hill, Woodstock. 

JJ'iiidsor County — Lozccr picture. Kcdron 

Brook, IVoodstock, JVindsor County. 



CVS" 



198 J'cniiout, The Land of Grccu Mountains 

town it passes over a succession of falls aggregating 110 feet in an 
eighth of a mile. In some places the channel of the ri^'er is not 
more than three yards wide, and for twenty rods it passes through 
a tleep ravine from three to five yards wide, walled by perpen- 
dicular ledges of mica slate from sixty to eighty feet high. These 
falls are considered one of the curiosities of the State and the 
scenery here is very picturesque. Bloodsucker pond contains 
bass and pout. 

S])ringfield village, on the Black river, is one of the most 
thriving villages in the State, its percentage of increase of popu- 
lation during the last decade having been the largest of any village 
or city in the State. It is connected by an electric road with 
Charlestown, N. H. Woolen and cotton mills, machine shops 
and the largest shoddy mill in the world, are located here. 

Congressman Lewis R. Morris was a resident of Springfield. 
iVmong the well-known persons born here were Edwin ]\I. Stough- 
ton. minister to Russia, Walbridge A. Field, chief justice of the 
Massachusetts supreme court, and Rev. William B. Forbush, 
author and founder of the International Order, Knights of King 
Arthur. 

S T O C K B R I D G E— Stockbridge was chartered in 1761 
by both New Hampshire and New York, this being the first 
Vermont grant made by the latter province. The first settle- 
ment was made in 1784, and the town was organized in 179'-2. 

This is a mountainous town. The White river flows through 
the northern part. At the Great narrows the river is only a few 
feet wide. There are several trout streams in this vicinity. 

The village of Gaysville was named for the Gay brothers who 
established a cassimere manufactory here. 

Congressman Elias Keyes was a resident of Stockbridge. 
William C. Belcher, one of the most distinguished lawyers on the 
Pacific coast, and his brothers, I. S. and E. H. Belcher, who held 
high judicial positions in California, were born here. 

W E A T H E R S F I E L D— The settlement of Weathers- 
field, a town on the Connecticut river, was begun between che 
years 1761 and 176.5 and it was organized in 1768. 

Weathersficld is watered by branches of the Black ri\er. 
The small streams contain trout. xVscutney and Little Ascutney 
mountains are situated in the northern part of the town, a j)art 
of Ascutney lying in Windsor. This is a detached peak, a mass of 
granite, and is a landmark for miles arountl. It is 3,3'-20 feet high, 
and may be reached by means of a good trail up the mountain. 
There is a log cal)in on the southern peak in Weathersficld. A 
superb view may be obtained from its summit, this view extending 
from Jay ])eak to Stratton mountain, from Mt. Marcy to the sea. 
The \'isitor may look upon the White mountains, the Green 





Tieiu of Mi. Horrid from the zccst. Rochester. U'iudso! 
C(u:iity. 



X^DC:^:?^ 



200 I'cnnont, The Laud of Green Mountains 

mountains. Equinox, Killington, Pico, Camel's Hump, Mansfield, 
and on a clear day, Jay peak and perhaps the Adirondacks and the 
Atlantic ocean. 

On the southeastern border the Connecticut river makes a 
bend called "Weathersfield Bow," and here some of the best farms 
in the State are located. AVhen Hon. William Jarvis, appointed 
consul and charge d'affaires to Portugal by President Jefferson, 
retired from office, he bought 2,000 acres in this part of the town. 
He introduced Merino sheep into this country, importing 3,500 
of this famous breed, also Holstein cattle and English-bred horses. 
Owing to the cost of her wars, Spain was obliged to sell her world- 
famous flocks of sheep, which that kmgdom had been breeding 
and improving for a thousand years, and Consul Jarvis was able 
to take advantage of this opportunity. 

The village of Perkinsville was named for a Boston capitalist 
named Perkins who established here a manufactory of broadcloth, 
cassimere and satinet. The village of Amsden was named for 
Charles Amsden, a prominent business man. 

There are deposits of asbestos and serpentine in Weathersfield. 

W. W. Dudley, former United States commissioner of pen- 
sions, and Rear Admiral Edward Farmer were born here. 

W E S T O N— This town was set off from Andover in 1799, 
and was organized in 1800. The West river passes through this 
town. This river was called by the Indians Wantasticook or ^^ an- 
tastiquet. The streams contain trout and pout are caught in ^Nlill 
pond. Weston is situated on the western slope of the Green 
moimtains and beautiful and extensile \-iews may be obtained 
from its higher elevations. 

WEST WINDSOR— This town was set off from 
Windsor in 1814. The following year it was united to Windsor, 
and in 1848 again it was divided, making a separate townshi}). 
A high ridge separates Windsor from West Windsor. Mill ri\'er 
flows through the southern part. There are extensive deposits 
of green granite, or syenite, on Mt. Ascutney. This is a hard, 
dark green stone, called Windsor green granite. It is used for 
columns and other interior work, and takes a high polish. The 
sarcophagi used in the ]McKinley mausoleum at Canton, Ohio, for 
the bodies of President and ]Mrs. McKinley, were obtained from 
the Windsor quarries. 

W I N D S O R — This town, on the Connecticut river, was 
settled in 1764 by emigrants from Farmington, Conn. In the 
summer of 1777 a convention was held in this town which for- 
mulated the State constitution. While the delegates Avere in 
session one August day, having nearly completed their labors, the 
news came of Burgoyne's invasion. Their first impulse was t() 



// incisor County 201 

adjourn immediately and return to protect their homes and 
families. Just at that time a fierce thunderstorm arose, and 
immediate departure being impossible, the constitution was com- 
pleted before they finally adjourned. A part of the old Consti- 
tution house is still standing-, although it has been used in recent 
years for a storehouse for a hardware firm. Steps recently have 
been taken toward the purchase and preservation of this historic 
building. 

Ascutney mountain dominates Windsor and the surrounding 
region, part of the mountam being situated in town. The name 
Ascutney is supposed to be of Indian origin. By some it is said 
to mean three brothers. Other authorities claim that the real 
Indian name is Cascadnac, meaning peaked mountain with 
steep sides. A stone house has been erected on the Windsor 
portion of the summit. Several mountain streams are stocked 
with trout. 

There are large machine shops here. Mr. Kennedy ,_ a 
prominent New York business man, has erected a large riding 
hall here in which a corn show is held every year. The State 
prison is located in Windsor. 

Gov. Carlos Coolidge and Congressmen Jonathan H. Hub- 
bard, Horace Everett and William Hunter lived here. William M. 
Evarts, one of the most famous of American lawyers, secretary 
of state in the cabinet of President Hayes and United States 
senator, had a summer residence in Windsor. His son, Maxwell 
Evarts, a prominent New York attorney and railroaxl man, and 
another son, Sherman Evarts, reside here, Gurdon S. Hubbard, 
a native of this town, a fur trader and friend of the Indians, 
arrived at what is now Chicago in 1818 at the age of sixteen years, 
when there was only one white family outside of Fort Dearborn. 
He became active in the city's affairs and was a friend of 
Abraham Lincoln. 

Just across the river from this place in Cornish, N. H., is a 
notable colony of artists and literary people. Windsor is their 
post-office and railroad station. Here Winston Churchill and 
Norman Hapgood, Augustus and Louis St. Gaudens and other 
well-known people have erected homes. It is announced that 
President Wilson has rented Harlakenden, Winston Churchill's 
residence, for the summer and that the executive offices will be 
located in the government building at Windsor, making this 
village an important part of the summer cai)ital of the nation. A 
syndicate composed of Windsor and New York j^arties proposes to 
build a $150,000 hotel on the Windsor side of the Connecticut 
river nearly opposite the President's summer home. 

WOODSTOC K— The settlement of this town was begun 
in 1768, and it was organized in 1773. 



202 J^eniiont, The Land of Grcoi Mountains 

The Ottaquechee river crosses the northern part. The 
highest elevation is Mt. Tom in the northern part. Woodstock 
is one of the most beantifnl Vermont vihages. It has a fine park 
and beantifnl streets. The Norman Williams library is an 
attractive strnctnre erected by Edward H. Williams of the Baldwin 
Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, in honor of his father. The 
Woodstock Inn, one of the best known summer and winter 
tourist resorts in New England, has long been a popular hotel. 
There are many beautiful dri^'es in this \-icinity. A considerable 
number of city people have sunnner homes here, and Admiral 
and Mrs. Dewey have spent the summer here for several years. 

A ginseng farm has been established near Taftsville. Wood- 
stock is the county seat. 

Among former well-known residents of Wootlstock were Gov. 
Peter T. Washburn, Gov. Julius Gonverse, United States Senator 
Jacob Gollamer, who was postmaster general in President Tay- 
lor's cabinet, Gongressman Andrew Tracy and Gongressman 
Gharles IMarsh. George P. Marsh, a son of Gharles Marsh, was 
born here. He was a member of Gongress, was appointed minister 
to Tin-key by President Taylor, was sent on a special mission to 
Greece, was ap})ointed minister to Italy by President Lincoln, 
and held that position for many years. He was a noted author 
and scholar. One of the most distinguished residents of this town 
was Frederick Billings. He opened the first law office in San 
P'rancisco, and H. W. Halleck, afterwards more widely known as 
General Halleck, of Givil War fame, was one of his partners. He 
became attorney general of Galifornia. The Galifornia d^'lt^gJition 
in Gongress lu'ged President Lincoln to give him a place in his 
second cabinet and two days before Lincoln's assassination he 
gave assiu'ance that he would do so. The Legislature of Gali- 
fornia imanimously adopted a resolution asking President Johnson 
to give Mr. Billings a seat in his cabinet. In 1869 Mr. Billings 
returned to \'ermont and established a beautiful home in Wood- 
stock. He was president of the Northern Pacific railroad for a 
number of years and was interested in the ]>romotion of the 
Nicaragua canal project. 

Among the natives of Woodstock who have gained distinction 
are Hiram Powers, the famous sculptor, Adjt.-Gen. F. G. Ains- 
worth of the United States Army, John Gotton Dana, librarian of 
the Newark, N. J., library, and S. B. Whitney, the well-known 
organist. 



INDEX 



Towns 

Addison 

Albany 

Alburg 

Andover 

Arlington 

Athens 

Averill 

Baker sfield 

Baltimore 

Barnard 

Barnet 

Barre 

Barton 

Belvidere 

Bennington 

Benson 

Berkshire 

Berlin 

liethel 

Bloomfield 

Bolton 

Bradford . 

Braintree 

Brandon 

Brattleboro 

Bridgewater 

Bri(li)ort 

Brighton 

Bristol 

Brookfield 

Brookline . 

Brownington 

Briuiswick 

Burke 

Burlington 

Cabot 

Calais 

Cambridge 

Canaan 

Castleton 



Counties 

Addison 

Orleans 

Grand Isle 

Windsor 

Bennington 

Windham 

Essex 

Franklin . 

Windsor 

Windsor . 

Caledonia 

W'ashington 

Orleans 

Lamoille 

Bennington 

Rutland . 

Franklin 

Washington 

Windsor 

Essex 

Chittenden 

Orange 

Orange 

Rutland 

Windham 

Windsor 

Addison 

Essex 

Addison 

Orange 

Windham 

Orleans 

Essex 

Caledonia 

Chittenden 

Washington 

Washington 

Lamoille 

Essex 

Rutland . 



Page 

13 

1^23 

93 

185 

33 

168 

73 

81 

18.5 

185 

49 

155 

W3 

98 

33 

137 

8^2 

156 

186 

74 

61 

110 

111 

137 

169 

188 

14 

74 

14 

111 

17(1 

124 

74 

50 

61 

156 

158 

98 

76 

138 



I 



Toinis 

Cavendisli 

Charleston 

Charlotte 

Chelsea 

Chester 

Chittenden 

Clarendon 

Colchester 

Concord 

Corinth 

Cornwall 

Coventry' 

Craftsbury 

Danby 

Danville 

Derby . 

Dorset 

Dover . 

Dinnmerston 

Duxbury 

East Haven 

East Montpelier 

Eden . . 

Elmore 

Enosburg 

Essex . 

Fairfax 

Fairfield 

Fair Haven 

Fairlee 

Fayston 

Ferdinand 

Ferrisburg 

Fletclier . 

Franklin 

Georgia 

Glastenbury 

Glover 

Goshen 

Grafton 

Granby 

Grand Isle 

Granville . 



Counties 

Windsor 

Orleans 

Chittenden 

Orange 

Windsor 

Rutland 

Rutland 

Chittenden 

Essex 

Orange 

Addison 

Orleans 

Orleans 

Rutland 

Caledonia 

Orleans 

Rennington 

Windham 

Windham 

Washington 

Essex 

Washington 

Lamoille 

Lamoille 

I''ranklin 

Ciiittenden 

Franklin 

Franklin 

Rutland . 

Orange 

Washington 

Essex 

Afldison 

Franklin 

Franklin 

Franklin 

Bennington 

Orleans 

Addison 

Windham 

Essex 

Grand Isle 

Addison 



Page 
188 
1^24 

U.5 
111 
190 
140 
140 

(id 

76 
112 

16 

im 

126 

141 

50 

128 

38 

170 

170 

158 

78 

159 

98 

100 

82 

68 

82 

84 

142 

112 

159 

78 

16 

84 

85 

85 

40 

128 

18 

172 

78 

93 

18 



II 



ToiniK 
Greensboro 
Ciiroton 
Guildhall . 
Guilford . 
Halifax . 
Hancock 
Hardwick . 
Hartford . 
Hartland . 
Highgate . 
Hinesburg 
Holland 
Hubbardton 
Huntington 

Hyde Park 

Ira . . 

Irasburg . 

IsleLa-Motte 

Jamaica 

Jay 

Jericho 

Johnson 

Kirby 

Landgrove 

Leicester . 

Lemington 

Lewis 

Lincoln 

Londonderry 

Lowell 

Ludlow 

Lunenburg 

Lyndon 

Maidstone. 

Manchester 

Marlboro 

Marsiifield 

Mendon 

Middlcbury 

Middlesex 

Middletown Spr 

Milton 

Monkton 



ings 



Couutien Page 

Orleans 130 

Caledonia 50 

Essex 78 

Windham 172 

Windham 173 

Addison 20 

Caledonia 52 

Windsor 191 

Windsor 192 

Franklin 85 

Chittenden 68 

Orleans 130 

Rutland 142 

Chittenden 69 

Lamoille 100 

Rutland 1-14 

Orleans 132 

Grand Isle 94 

Windham 173 

Orleans 132 

Chittenden 69 

LamoUle 102 

Caledonia 52 

Bennington 40 

Addison 20 

Essex 80 

Essex 80 

Addison 21 

Windham 174 

Orleans 133 

Windsor 192 

Essex 80 

Caledonia 52 

Essex 80 

Bennington 40 

Windham 176 

Washington 159 

Rutland 144 

Addison 21 

Washington 159 

Rutland 144 

Chittenden 69 

Addison 22 



HI 



Towns 

Montgomery 

Montpelier 

Moretown 

Morgan 

Morristown 

Mount Holly 

Mount Tabor 

Newark 

Newbury . 

Newfane 

New Haven 

Newport 

Northfielfl 

North Hero 

Norton 

Norwich 

Orange 

Orwell 

Panton 

Pawlet 

Peacham 

Peru 

Pittsfield 

Pittsford 

Plainfiehi 

Plymouth 

Pomfret 

Poultney 

Pownal 

Proctor 

Putney 

Randolph 

Reading 

Readsboro 

Richford 

Richmond 

Ripton 

Rochester 

Rockingham 

Roxbury 

Royalton . 

Rupert 

Rutland . 



Counties Page 

Franklin . . .... 86 

Wa.shington 160 

Washington 164 

Orleans 133 

Lamoille 10£ 

Rutland 14.5 

Rutland 14.5 

Caledonia .54 

Orange 114 

Windham 176 

Addison H 

Orleans 134 

Washington 164 

Crand Isle 96 

Essex 81 

AVindsor . 19^ 

Orange 116 

Addison !24 

Addison '26 

Rutland 145 

Caledonia 54 

Bennington 42 

Rutland 146 

Rutland 146 

Washington 165 

Windsor 194 

Windsor 195 

Rutland 148 

Bennington 44 

Rutland 149 

Windham 176 

Orange 116 

Windsor 195 

Bennington 44 

Franklin 86 

Chittenden 70 

Addison 26 

Windsor 195 

Windham 177 

Washington 165 

Windsor 196 

Bennington 44 

Rutland 150 

IV 



Toiriix 

Ryegatf . 

St. Albans 

St. George 

St. Johnsbury 

Sali.sbury . 

Sandgate . 

Searsbiirg . 

Shaftsbury 

Sharon . 

Sheffield . 

Shelburne 

Sheldon 

Sherburne 

Shoreham 

Shrewsbury 

Somerset . 

South Burlington 

South Hero 

Springfield 

Stamford . 

Stannard . 

Starksboro 

Stockbridge 

Stowe 

Strafford . 

Stratton 

Sudbury 

Sunderland 

Sutton 

Swanton . 

Thetford . 

Tinmouth 

Topsham . 

Townsheufi 

Troy . . 

Tunbridge . 

Underbill 

\'ergennes 

Vernon 

Vershire 

Victory 

Waitsfield 

Walflen 



(ointfic.s Page 

Caledonia 5.5 

Franklin 88 

Chittenden 70 

Caledonia 56 

Addison 27 

Penningtin 46 

Bennington 46 

Bennington 46 

Windsor 196 

Caledonia 56 

Chittenden 70 

Franklin 86 

Rutland 152 

Addison 28 

Rutland 152 

NVindhani 177 

Chittenden 72 

Grand Isle 96 

AYindsor 196 

Bennington 48 

Caledonia 56 

Addison 30 

Windsor 198 

Lamoille 104 

Orange 116 

Windham 178 

Rutland 153 

Bennington 48 

Caledonia 58 

Franklin 90 

Orange 118 

Rutland 153 

Orange 120 

Windham 180 

Orleans 134 

Orange 120 

Chittenden 72 

Addison 30 

AVindham 180 

Orange 120 

Essex 81 

Washington 165 

Caledonia 60 

V 



/ 



Towns 

WaUingford 

Walthain . 

Wardsboro 

Warren 

Washington 

Waterbury 

Waterville. 

Weathersfield 

Wells . . 

West Kairlee 

Westfield . 

Westford . 

West Haven 

Westminster 

Westmore 

Weston 

West Rutland . 

West Windsor 

Weybridge 

Wheelock . 

Whiting . 

Whitinghani 

Williainstown 

Williston . 

Wilmington 

Windham . 

Windsor 

Winhall 

Wolcott . 

Woodbury 

Woodford 

Woodstock 

Worcester 



Counties Page 

Rutland 153 

Addison 30 

Windham 181 

Washington 165 

Orange I'i'i 

Washington 106 

Lamoille 108 

Windsor 198 

Rutland 154 

Orange 112 

Orleans 136 

Chittenden 73 

Rutland 154 

Windham 181 

Orleans 136 

Wiuflsor ^00 

Rutland 154 

Windsor '200 

Addison 3^2 

Caledonia 60 

Addison 3i2 

Windham 182 

Orange 122 

Chittenden 73 

Windham 184 

Windham 184 

W^indsor 200 

Bennington 48 

Lamoille 110 

Washington 160 

Bennington 49 

Windsor 201 

Washinoton 168 



VI 



